unfamiliar

1 of 2

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

unfamiliarity

2 of 2

noun

un·​familiarity "+ 

: the quality or state of being unfamiliar : strangeness, novelty

his unfamiliarity with this quarter of the city

an unfamiliarity with the new rules slowed down his play

the unfamiliarity of the scene

Synonyms of unfamiliar

Adjective

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

Examples of unfamiliar in a Sentence

Adjective

He gets nervous when he is in unfamiliar surroundings.

The book is full of unfamiliar words.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The woman who moved through unfamiliar cities alone without overthinking every variable. — Stefanie Benjamin, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026

All of this can be frustrating at times and managing logistics and unfamiliar bureaucracy takes patience. — Alicia Sanchez, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026

That said, Tesla’s system can perform tasks it has been specifically trained on, but unfamiliar situations can produce unpredictable behavior. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026

The weather bell’s very existence might spark a puzzled glance or two from anyone unfamiliar with it. — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

unfamiliar + -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

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