unlike

1 of 4

adjective

un·​like ˌən-ˈlīk 

somewhat formal : not like: such as

a

: marked by lack of resemblance : different

The two books are quite unlike.

b

: marked by inequality : unequal

contributed unlike amounts

unlikeness noun

unlike

2 of 4

preposition

: not like: such 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

unlike

3 of 4

conjunction

: in a manner that is different than : not as

Can unlike be used as a conjunction?: Usage Guide

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 Rev.

In spite of criticism, this conjunctive use of unlike is well established in both American and British English.

unlikeness

4 of 4

noun

un·​like·​ness

: the quality or state of being unlike : an instance of dissimilarity

Synonyms of unlike

Adjective

• different
• diverse
• distinctive
• distinct
• other

Examples of unlike in a Sentence

Adjective

a comparison of unlike things

you're trying to compare very unlike things—like those proverbial apples and oranges

Preposition

The plants that grow here are unlike the plants that grow where I live.

She's unlike anyone I've ever met.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

At Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, Georgia, a zebra named Kurtsie and a giraffe named Bakari have formed an unlike friendship — one that began with curiosity, grew through hardship and blossomed into an inseparable bond. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2026

The plan is unlike to pass in its current form, and some environmental groups and Democrats already vow to oppose it. — Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2026

Preposition

And this time—unlike the first year of the Chávez administration, when some Venezuelans still saw the new president as a source of hope — neither oil revenues nor all the international aid combined will be enough to mitigate the effects of the most powerful earthquake in a century. — Alfredo Meza, CNN Money, 29 June 2026

But unlike fruit flies, these pests have black eyes (not red), distinctive humped backs, and heavier, thicker-veined wings. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 28 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English unliknesse, from unlik, adjective, unlike + -nesse -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Preposition

1600, in the meaning defined above

Conjunction

1873, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing unlike

• not unlike

Rhymes for unlike

• alike
• belike
• birdlike
• catlike
• childlike
• christlike
• deathlike
• dislike
• dreamlike
• friedreich
• godlike
• hairlike

Kids Definition

unlike

1 of 2 adjective

un·​like ˌən-ˈlīk 

ˈən-

1

: marked by differences

people are all unlike

2

: unequal sense 1a

contributed unlike amounts

unlikeness noun

unlike

2 of 2 preposition

1

: different from

feeling completely unlike a hero

2

: not typical of

it was unlike her to be late

3

: in a different manner from

behaving unlike all the other children