unbelievably

adv

Etymology: Etymology tree English unbelievable Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-Germanic *-ê Proto-Germanic *-līkê Proto-West Germanic *-līkē Old English -līċe Middle English -ly English -ly English unbelievably From unbelievable + -ly.

1. In a manner that one does not or cannot believe.

   “He gestured unbelievably. Everyone knew he was faking his illness.”

   “Almost unbelievably, some authors have formed the erroneous conception that ‘Hobson-Jobson’ is actually the double-barrelled surname of the dictionary’s editor.”

2. To an extent not to be believed.

   “His face turned unbelievably blue. We realized he was actually choking.”

3. Contrary to expectations, amazingly.

   “Unbelievably, Rudy saved the man's life but got sued for breaking two of his ribs.”