unfamiliar

adjective

un·​fa·​mil·​iar ˌən-fə-ˈmil-yər How to pronounce unfamiliar (audio)
: not familiar:
a
: not well-known : strange
an unfamiliar place
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 adverb

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.
The fields of law and insurance are extremely complicated for the layperson, with documents full of terms and concepts that may as well be a foreign language to those unfamiliar with them. Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024 Part of the reason for this misconception is that many in the field are still unfamiliar with the AI tools that can help improve their processes and empower their teams. Venky Yerrapotu, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024 Few Americans overall approve of Pete Hegseth, Trump's nominee for defense secretary, or Tulsi Gabbard, his pick to lead intelligence, though a significant portion of the public remains unfamiliar with both figures. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024 For those who are unfamiliar, Yule Log shows are typically a simple shot of a crackling fire that viewers play on their TVs during the Christmas holiday season to replicate the cozy vibe of fireplace. James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near unfamiliar

Cite this Entry

“Unfamiliar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfamiliar. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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