- unlikely (adj.)
- late 14c., "not likely to occur," from un- (1) "not" + likely (adj.). Similar formation in Old Norse ulikligr, Middle Danish uligelig. Meaning "not likely to be true" is recorded from 1590s. Related: Unlikeliness; unlikelihood.
- unlikely (adv.)
- mid-15c., "improbably," from un- (1) "not" + likely (adv.) (see likely (adj.)).