unfamiliar

adjective

un·​fa·​mil·​iar ˌən-fə-ˈmil-yər How to pronounce unfamiliar (audio)
Synonyms of unfamiliarnext
: not familiar:
a
: not well-known : strange
an unfamiliar place
—often used with to
used words that were unfamiliar to me
b
: not well acquainted
unfamiliar with the subject
unfamiliarity
ˌən-fə-ˌmil-ˈyer-ə-tē How to pronounce unfamiliar (audio)
-ˌmi-lē-ˈyer-, 
-ˈya-rə-
noun
unfamiliarly
ˌən-fə-ˈmil-yər-lē How to pronounce unfamiliar (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of unfamiliar

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Examples of unfamiliar in a Sentence

He gets nervous when he is in unfamiliar surroundings. The book is full of unfamiliar words.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The work is unfamiliar and seems risky, in precisely the ways advanced mathematics or learning to read complex texts may have seemed foreign to our agricultural-era counterparts. — Tim Knowles, Fortune, 8 July 2026 The three most common triggers included fear of strange people, fear of unfamiliar dogs and fear of unfamiliar situations like unexpected noises or objects on the sidewalk. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026 More adventurous ingredients and sauces, like the chimichurri served with the beef bowl at Jurassic World Canteen, come on the side so adults can customize their meals while younger eaters can enjoy the same dish without unfamiliar flavors. — Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2026 The largely unfamiliar cast lend an air of unpredictability that serves the central mystery well, while the city itself — the bulk of the events take place in the brutalist confines of the Barbican Estate — plays an admirable supporting role. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unfamiliar

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unfamiliar was in 1594

Phrases Containing unfamiliar

Rhymes for unfamiliar

See All Rhymes for unfamiliar

Browse Nearby Words

unfamed
unfamiliar
unfamiliarity
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unfamiliar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfamiliar. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

unfamiliar

adjective
un·​fa·​mil·​iar ˌən-fə-ˈmil-yər How to pronounce unfamiliar (audio)
1
: not well-known : strange
an unfamiliar place
2
: not well acquainted
unfamiliar with the subject
unfamiliarity
-ˌmil-ˈyar-ət-ē How to pronounce unfamiliar (audio)
-ˌmil-ē-ˈ(y)ar-
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unfamiliar

Nglish: Translation of unfamiliar for Spanish Speakers

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