unfamiliar

[uhn-fuh-mil-yer]

adjective

1. not familiar; not acquainted with or conversant about.

   to be unfamiliar with a subject.

2. different; unaccustomed; unusual; strange.

   an unfamiliar treat.

   Synonyms: new, novel, curious

unfamiliar

/ ˌʌnfəˈmɪljə, ˌʌnfəˌmɪlɪˈærɪtɪ /

adjective

1. not known or experienced; strange

2. not familiar

Other Word Forms

• unfamiliarity noun
• unfamiliarly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unfamiliar¹

First recorded in 1585–95; un- ¹ + familiar

Example Sentences

Of course, any setting can be exotic if it’s unfamiliar.

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He wrote in it with his left hand so the words would look unfamiliar.

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She wrote, “I was completely inhabiting my body. It was an entirely unfamiliar freedom, bodily freedom, rapture.”

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Also coming in December is a service that allows Alexa+ to greet people at the door, whether they’re familiar or unfamiliar faces.

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There was also an unfamiliar mental strain, as the former MVP slumped like he never had before.

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Related Words

• bizarre 
• curious 
• exotic 
• foreign 
• new 
• obscure 
• peculiar 
• unaccustomed 
• unexpected 
• unexplored 
• unknown 
• unusual