unfamiliar
adjective
un·fa·mil·iar
ˌən-fə-ˈmil-yər 
: not familiar:
a
: not well-known : strange
an unfamiliar place
—often used with toused words that were unfamiliar to me
b
: not well acquainted
unfamiliar with the subject
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
Another important aspect of the Expeditionary PathMaster is its role in expeditionary warfare, where forces are deployed quickly into unfamiliar regions with minimal existing support.
—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 11 Apr. 2026
New policies might seem as strange or unfamiliar as these measures did at the time.
—Marie Helweg-Larsen, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026
One of the best ways to disrupt a team that wants to create essentially 10 duels on the pitch is for players to move into different areas and rotate, dragging their marker into unfamiliar, uncomfortable positions.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Their relationship is a challenge, what with Deborah being pissed and Ava navigating her anger as well as the demands of an unrelenting, unfamiliar job.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfamiliar
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.
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 11 Apr. 2026
New policies might seem as strange or unfamiliar as these measures did at the time.
—Marie Helweg-Larsen, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026
One of the best ways to disrupt a team that wants to create essentially 10 duels on the pitch is for players to move into different areas and rotate, dragging their marker into unfamiliar, uncomfortable positions.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Their relationship is a challenge, what with Deborah being pissed and Ava navigating her anger as well as the demands of an unrelenting, unfamiliar job.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfamiliar
Cite this Entry
“Unfamiliar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfamiliar. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
