Dictionary
1unlike
adjective un·like \-ˈlīk\
: not similar
Full Definition of UNLIKE
: not like: as a : marked by lack of resemblance : different <the two books are quite unlike> b : marked by inequality : unequal <contributed unlike amounts>
— un·like·ness noun
See unlike defined for English-language learners
See unlike defined for kids
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First Known Use of UNLIKE
13th century
Related to UNLIKE
- Synonyms
- disparate, dissimilar, distant, distinct, distinctive, distinguishable, diverse, nonidentical, other, unalike, different
Rhymes with UNLIKE
alike, apelike, armlike, barnlike, bearlike, belike, birdlike, bladelike, boatlike, boxlike, called strike, catlike, childlike, Christlike, clawlike, claylike, clocklike, dirgelike, dirt bike, dislike, doglike, dreamlike, feel like, first strike, fishlike, flu-like, fly-strike, garpike, godlike, grasslike, handspike, hitchhike, homelike, horselike, hymnlike, jazzlike, Klondike, lifelike, mislike, moonlike, nunlike, parklike, pealike, push-bike, rampike, ratlike, rent strike, restrike, ringlike, rocklike, rootlike, ropelike, scalelike, sharklike, sheaflike, shrimplike, shunpike, snakelike, sphinxlike, springlike, suchlike, tanklike, ten-strike, trail bike, trancelike, turnpike, Updike, Vandyke, Van Dyck, warlike, wavelike, whalelike, wifelike, winglike, wraithlike
2unlike
preposition
: different from (something or someone)
: not typical of (someone) : not normal for (someone)
—used to indicate how someone or something is different from other people or things
Full Definition of UNLIKE
: not like: as a : different from <a landscape unlike any other> b : not characteristic of <it was unlike him to be late> c : in a different manner from <spoke clearly, unlike the others>
See unlike defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of UNLIKE
circa 1592
3unlike
conjunction
Definition of UNLIKE
: in a manner that is different than : not as
Usage Discussion of UNLIKE
The use of unlike as a conjunction is less common than conjunctive use of like and, while criticized, is not as frequently cited as an error. The conjunctive unlike almost always introduces a prepositional phrase <unlike in other areas, the judiciary cannot justify its attempt … as a necessary evil — Alexandra M. Walsh, Stanford Law Review>. In spite of criticism, this conjunctive use of unlike is well established in both American and British English.
First Known Use of UNLIKE
1949
UNLIKE Defined for Kids
1unlike
preposition un·like \ˌən-ˈlīk\
Definition of UNLIKE for Kids
1
: different from <You are unlike the rest.>
2
: unusual for <It's unlike them to be so late.>
3
: differently from <I behave unlike the others.>
2unlike
adjective
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