unlike
English meaning: Unlike
Definition
Something that is not like something else; something different.
Example
“Unlike her sister, she enjoyed crowds and noise.”
Another example: “It was unlike him to forget such an important date.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Most commonly a preposition or adjective meaning 'different from' or 'not characteristic of' ('unlike his brother', 'that's unlike her'). The noun sense ('something dissimilar') is rare and formal/literary. Neutral register for the common uses.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old English 'ungelic' (not alike), from 'un-' (not) plus 'gelic' (like), in use since before the 12th century.
Related Words
Common Collocations
- unlike most
- quite unlike
- so unlike
- unlike anything
- that's unlike
Word Forms
unlike (prep, adj & n)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B