improbable
Word family
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++im·prob·a·ble /ɪmˈprɒbəbəl $ -ˈprɑː-/ adjective 1 BELIEVEPROBABLY#not likely to happen or to be true 不大可能发生的；未必确实的 SYN unlikely OPP probable a film with an improbable plot 情节离奇的电影 It seems highly improbable that he had no knowledge of the affair. 他不知道这件事的可能性似乎极小。2 SURPRISEDsurprising and slightly strange 不可思议的 SYN unlikely improbable combinations of colours 奇异的颜色组合 —improbably adverb —improbability /ɪmˌprɒbəˈbɪləti $ -ˌprɑː-/ noun [countable, uncountable]Examples from the Corpus
improbable• Carter claims he paid $4000 for the papers, which seems highly improbable.• Given the unhealthy level of policy agreement between Labor and the Liberals that we have now, such cooperation is most improbable.• Therefore the existence of a universe as stable as this is highly improbable.• The new pay agreement makes further industrial action by the union highly improbable.• The ladies were dressed in improbable combinations of colors.• Nevertheless, the Foxton project was mysteriously improbable even if there had been no internal combustion on the way.• An improbable event is one that happens only in one or a few possible worlds.• It has deeply divided mid-green leaves that flare to wild, improbable scarlet.• Perhaps it is no more improbable than anything else that may happen by chance in this universe.• It seems improbable that America's allies will oppose the proposed arms reduction.• It's improbable that she would have been so successful without famous parents.• It's highly improbable that someone would win the lottery twice.• Alas, his selection would require an improbable U-turn on the part of the Sassenach segment of the selectors.• The Rockets managed an improbable victory in last night's game.highly improbable• Frankly, this seems highly improbable.• Indeed, it makes such an occurrence very highly improbable.• Therefore the existence of a universe as stable as this is highly improbable.• But it is still highly improbable, a fluke of nature, not a predictable outcome.• The fact that highly improbable circumstances could result in significant upside potential should not affect the presentation.• This would be a highly improbable conclusion.• It is all truly amazing, and highly improbable, given all the ways the system could break down.• It is therefore highly improbable if not impossible that recent damage to a roof would have caused rot in underlying timbers.im·prob·a·ble adjectiveChineseSyllable
be to happen not true Corpus to likely or
improbable
im‧prob‧a‧ble /ɪmˈprɒbəbəl $ -ˈprɑː-/
adjective
SYN unlikely
OPP probable:
a film with an improbable plot
It seems highly improbable that he had no knowledge of the affair.
2. surprising and slightly strange
SYN unlikely:
improbable combinations of colours
—improbably adverb
—improbability /ɪmˌprɒbəˈbɪləti, ɪmˌprɒbəˈbɪlɪti $ -ˌprɑː-/ noun [uncountable and countable]
im‧prob‧a‧ble /ɪmˈprɒbəbəl $ -ˈprɑː-/
adjective Word Family: noun: probability, probable; adverb: probably ≠ improbably; adjective: probable ≠ improbable
1. not likely to happen or to be true SYN unlikely
OPP probable:
2. surprising and slightly strange
SYN unlikely:
—improbably adverb
—improbability /ɪmˌprɒbəˈbɪləti, ɪmˌprɒbəˈbɪlɪti $ -ˌprɑː-/ noun [uncountable and countable]