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 sender's name looks unfamiliar, but the delivery seems real. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026 After a tractor-trailer driver died, his dog Hennessy was scared and alone in an unfamiliar state. — Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 30 June 2026 For those unfamiliar with web design, this technical cost is comically outsized. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 30 June 2026 Fredericson urges new ruckers to warm up before each session, hydrate well and tell someone the route when heading into unfamiliar areas. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 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

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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 7 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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