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unlike

Meaning in simple English

US /ˌʌnˈlaɪk/

unlike means: Different from each other in appearance, qualities, or kind.

adjective

DIFFERENTC1

Different from each other in appearance, qualities, or kind.

  • The samples are quite unlike.
  • They combined unlike materials in one sculpture.
  • The sisters seem surprisingly unlike each other.

How to use it: be unlike each other (The two designs are unlike each other.)

Similar words: different, dissimilar, unalike

Opposites: similar, alike

Common phrases: unlike shapes, unlike materials, quite unlike, unlike qualities

preposition

IN CONTRAST TOB1

Used to compare people or things and show how they differ.

  • Unlike Tom, I like rain.
  • These birds hunt at night, unlike most other birds.
  • Unlike last year, we have enough money for a holiday.

How to use it: unlike someone/something, … (Unlike her brother, Maya enjoys cooking.)

Similar words: in contrast to, as opposed to

Opposites: like

Common phrases: unlike most people, unlike his brother, unlike last year, unlike other places

DIFFERENT FROMB1

Different from a person or thing in appearance, qualities, or kind.

  • This tastes unlike anything else.
  • Her new book is unlike her earlier work.
  • The island was unlike any place we had visited.

How to use it: unlike someone/something (The new building is unlike any other in town.)

Similar words: different from, dissimilar to

Opposites: like

Common phrases: unlike anything else, unlike other things, quite unlike something

NOT TYPICALB2

Not what a particular person would normally do or be like.

  • Being rude is unlike her.
  • It's unlike you to arrive late.
  • That angry reply was very unlike him.

How to use it: it is unlike someone to do something (It's unlike him to forget a birthday.)

Similar words: uncharacteristic of, out of character for

Opposites: like

Common phrases: unlike you, unlike him, so unlike her, very unlike someone

verb

REMOVE ONLINE LIKEB2

To remove your earlier sign of approval from a post, photo, or page online.

  • You can unlike the photo.
  • I unliked that post after reading the comments.
  • Did you accidentally unlike my page?

Opposites: like

Common phrases: unlike a post, unlike a photo, unlike a page

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