unlike
unlike — adjective
- unlikepositive
- more unlikecomparative
- most unlikesuperlative
1. Different in appearance, quality, or nature when compared with another person or
Different in appearance, quality, or nature when compared with another person or thing — for example, two paintings that share no style or colour, or two siblings with opposite personalities.
The twins are so unlike that strangers never guess they are sisters.
be + unlike + so / very / quite
Chidi's cooking style is completely unlike his mother's traditional methods.
completely unlike + noun
Caleb's business plan was very unlike Vivek's, focusing on local shops rather than online sales.
These two fabrics feel quite unlike each other when you touch them.
The two towers look totally unlike — one old brick, the other glass and steel — yet both charge similar rents.
- dissimilar
more formal; preferred in academic or technical writing
- different
more general and far more common; unlike emphasises contrast more strongly
- distinct
focuses on separateness and clear difference rather than lack of resemblance
文法句型
unlike + noun (comparing two things)
be + unlike
very / quite / completely / totally + unlike
用法筆記
Often used with intensifying adverbs such as very, quite, completely, and totally. Common in both attributive (an unlike pair) and predicative positions (the two are unlike).
常見錯誤
2. Describing opposite ends or charges that differ in nature and attract each other
Describing opposite ends or charges that differ in nature and attract each other, especially in the context of magnets or electricity — for instance, the two opposite tips of a bar magnet.
In the school lab, Cyrus held two bar magnets close, and their unlike ends snapped together with a sharp click.
unlike + magnetic poles (technical domain)
In physics class, Jiwoo learned that unlike poles pull toward one another.
When Ari rubbed the balloon on her jumper, the unlike charges made the balloon stick firmly to the ceiling.
Imran watched two magnets' unlike ends inch together across the table before meeting with a light tap.
- like
in magnetism: like poles repel, unlike poles attract
文法句型
unlike + noun (technical: poles, charges)
用法筆記
Primarily a technical term in physics. The opposite concept is like (like poles repel). This sense appears almost always in attributive position before a noun like poles, ends, or charges.
unlike — conjunction
1. Introducing a full clause to indicate that the way something happens or the resu
Introducing a full clause to indicate that the way something happens or the result turns out is different from what the clause describes — for example, events unfolding differently than someone predicted, or a process working in a different way than before.
The exam results came out unlike the tutors had predicted, with most students scoring higher than expected.
unlike + clause (conjunction use)
The hybrid car runs unlike the petrol model did, starting silently and producing only a low hum.
The football team played unlike they usually do in away matches, showing energy and strong organisation from the first minute.
The river flowed unlike it had in previous summers, slow and sluggish after months of drought.
- not as
more common in everyday speech; less formal
- contrary to how
more explicit and formal
- as
opposite in the sense of 'in the same manner as'
文法句型
unlike + clause
用法筆記
This conjunction use of unlike is considered formal or literary. In everyday speech, speakers typically use a different construction ('not as' or 'in a way that is different from how'). Avoid using it in casual writing unless aiming for a rhetorical effect.
常見錯誤
unlike — preposition
1. Used to say that one person, thing, or situation is not the same as another in a
Used to say that one person, thing, or situation is not the same as another in a noticeable way — for example, saying that one city is unlike another because of its culture or climate.
Unlike his brother, Walid prefers reading to playing team sports.
unlike + noun phrase, contrasting two people
This phone model is quite unlike the previous version in its design.
Renata's teaching style is unlike anything her students have ever seen.
Unlike most birds, penguins cannot fly through the air at all.
Unlike the other candidates, she focused on education policy during the debate.
- different from
can be used in the same positions but is slightly less concise
- in contrast to
more formal; often introduces a longer comparison
- like
direct opposite; similar to
- similar to
formal alternative to 'like'
文法句型
unlike + noun / pronoun / noun phrase
常見錯誤
2. Not matching the usual behaviour, character, or qualities of a particular person
Not matching the usual behaviour, character, or qualities of a particular person — used when someone acts in a way that surprises you because it does not fit what you know about them.
It is so unlike Mayumi to arrive late without sending a message.
it is unlike + person + to-infinitive
Tomás's sudden angry outburst was unlike the calm person we knew.
The messy handwriting was unlike the neat notes Olivia usually produces.
That rude comment seems unlike someone who is normally so polite.
- uncharacteristic of
more formal; used in writing
- atypical of
formal; used in analysis or evaluation
- characteristic of
direct opposite; typical of
- typical of
common opposite in everyday speech
文法句型
unlike + person / pronoun
it is unlike + person + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Commonly used in the pattern 'it is unlike [someone] to [do something],' which expresses surprise at behaviour that contradicts what you expect. The subject is usually a personal pronoun or a person's name.
常見錯誤
3. Focusing on the particular method, style, or approach someone uses when doing so
Focusing on the particular method, style, or approach someone uses when doing something, showing that it differs from the way another person or thing acts — used to compare how actions are performed or processes unfold, rather than to state that two things are simply different in nature.
Élise played the sonata unlike every other pianist in the competition.
unlike + noun phrase (comparing manner)
The new pastry chef prepared the croissants unlike her predecessor, using a slow overnight fermentation method.
Padma approached the problem unlike her colleagues, using a creative method.
The team trained for the match unlike any previous season, prioritising stamina over speed.
- differently from
more common in everyday speech; unlike is more concise
- in a different way from
more explicit and less formal
- like
in the same manner as
- similarly to
in a comparable way
文法句型
unlike + noun phrase (manner comparison)
用法筆記
This sense overlaps with the conjunction use but takes a noun phrase rather than a full clause. It emphasises the manner or method of an action, distinguishing it from preposition sense 1 (which simply states that two things are different).
unlike — verb
- unlikepresent simple I / you / we / they
- unlikes3rd person singular
- unliking-ing form
- unlikedpast simple
1. To undo your positive reaction to a post, photo, or comment on a social-networki
To undo your positive reaction to a post, photo, or comment on a social-networking platform, typically by pressing a button or icon a second time.
Asher accidentally unliked his friend's post while scrolling through photos.
unlike + noun phrase (social media object)
Maeve decided to unlike the comment after reading it more carefully.
Fans quickly unliked the announcement when the singer's controversy broke out.
Reema unliked the photo because she had tapped the heart button by mistake.
- remove like from
more explicit; less concise than the single word unlike
- like
the original action of indicating approval on social media
文法句型
unlike + noun (a post, comment, photo)
用法筆記
This verb is specific to social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube. It was formed by adding the prefix un- to the verb like. The action is usually reversible — you can like the same post again.