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.
You are now being paid a positive premium to extend, which is the historically normal state of the world and has been unfamiliar for so long that many investors have stopped expecting it. — Jason Kirsch, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Henry added the Patriots have done little to no scouting ahead of their practice with an unfamiliar opponent. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 18 Aug. 2026 That Waylon is unfamiliar with Harry Potter is odd, but not unheard of. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026 The anxiety that international travel brings, particularly when unfamiliar with the application process or travelling with family members, can be overwhelming. — William Jones, USA Today, 17 Aug. 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 24 Aug. 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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