unfamiliar

adjective

un·​fa·​mil·​iar ˌən-fə-ˈmil-yər 

: 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 

-ˌmi-lē-ˈyer-, 

-ˈya-rə-

noun

unfamiliarly

ˌən-fə-ˈmil-yər-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of unfamiliar

• strange
• new
• novel
• unprecedented
• fresh
• original
• unknown

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

Korean writer-director Han Jun-hee talked strategies for getting audiences to respond to risky or unfamiliar material in a masterclass at Netflix’s Creative Asia day at Busan International Film Festival. — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026

Feeling her way through unfamiliar worlds has been something of a lifelong predicament and opportunity for Choi. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026

About 60,000 applicants passed an initial CV screen and moved on to online tests designed to measure how quickly candidates solve unfamiliar problems and learn new skills. — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Americans unfamiliar with the airline might, upon seeing one of their planes for the first time, think of Kate Spade. — Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing unfamiliar

• unfamiliar with (something)

Rhymes for unfamiliar

• conciliar
• familiar

Kids Definition

unfamiliar

adjective

un·​fa·​mil·​iar ˌən-fə-ˈmil-yər 

1

: not well-known : strange

an unfamiliar place

2

: not well acquainted

unfamiliar with the subject

unfamiliarity

-ˌmil-ˈyar-ət-ē 

-ˌmil-ē-ˈ(y)ar-

noun