improbability
/ɪmˌprɒbəˈbɪləti/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪmˌprɑːbəˈbɪləti/ (ame, ipa) · /(¦)im əm+/ (ame, mw)
improbability — noun
- improbabilitysingular
- improbabilitiesplural
1. the quality or state of being very unlikely to happen, exist, or be true; a situ
the quality or state of being very unlikely to happen, exist, or be true; a situation, event, or statement that is extremely unexpected or hard to believe.
Despite the improbability of finding the keys in such a large park, Suki kept searching until sunset.
improbability of + gerund phrase
The whole story was full of improbabilities, starting with a wolf that could speak seven languages.
countable use: improbabilities (plural)
Nadia laughed at the sheer improbability that her old bicycle would survive a trip across the desert.
The film's plot relies on the improbability of two strangers meeting three times in one week.
- unlikelihood
almost identical meaning; 'unlikelihood' is slightly more common in everyday speech, while 'improbability' carries a slightly more formal or mathematical tone.
- implausibility
focuses on something being hard to believe or lacking credibility, rather than just being unlikely to happen.
- doubtfulness
less common; emphasises uncertainty rather than pure unlikeliness.
- remoteness
used specifically for a very small chance (a 'remote possibility'); more technical.
- probability
the direct opposite — how likely something is to happen or be true.
- likelihood
the chance that something will happen; less formal than 'probability'.
- certainty
something that is sure to happen; a much stronger opposite.
文法句型
improbability of [something]
improbability that [clause]
用法筆記
When used as an uncountable noun, improbability refers to a general quality ('the improbability of the event'). As a countable noun (improbabilities), it refers to specific unlikely events or details within a story or situation.