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
The unfamiliar food on his plate often went untouched.
—
Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026
But even for longtime Border Patrol agents, who are trained at an academy in the deserts of New Mexico and stationed along the northern and southern borders, high-density cities are unfamiliar terrain.
—Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
Here in the United States, there’s not much of a conversation around Marmite because this classic British condiment, a salty umami bomb made from a byproduct of beer, is simply unfamiliar to our palates.
—Kristen Hartke, Saveur, 12 Mar. 2026
When that process relies on unfamiliar language, the burden of explanation can feel endless; yet, without the chance to learn and practice, others are denied the opportunity to develop a broader understanding of human diversity.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 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.
Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026
But even for longtime Border Patrol agents, who are trained at an academy in the deserts of New Mexico and stationed along the northern and southern borders, high-density cities are unfamiliar terrain.
—Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
Here in the United States, there’s not much of a conversation around Marmite because this classic British condiment, a salty umami bomb made from a byproduct of beer, is simply unfamiliar to our palates.
—Kristen Hartke, Saveur, 12 Mar. 2026
When that process relies on unfamiliar language, the burden of explanation can feel endless; yet, without the chance to learn and practice, others are denied the opportunity to develop a broader understanding of human diversity.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 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 15 Mar. 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
