unfamiliar

American  

[uhn-fuh-mil-yer] / ˌʌn fəˈmɪl yər /

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

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unfamiliar British  

/ ˌʌnfəˈmɪljə, ˌʌnfəˌmɪlɪˈærɪtɪ /

adjective

1. not known or experienced; strange

2. not familiar

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Other Word Forms

• unfamiliarity noun
• unfamiliarly adverb

Etymology

Origin of unfamiliar

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

Example Sentences

This happens because their credentials are unfamiliar, or they simply don’t know the soft skills of the American job market.

From The Wall Street Journal

Both approaches appear to be working, but there are still many situations that are unfamiliar to the new technology, such as power outages.

From Barron's

For many Australians, this level of security is an unfamiliar sight.

From BBC

But not only did he selflessly deliver in an unfamiliar role - he also stepped up when his side needed a match-winner, heading home in the 92nd minute.

From BBC

Between that and Sydney Chandler’s portrayal of Wendy – not a girl, not yet a mechanical woman – this new chapter is bracingly unfamiliar terrain.

From Salon

Related Words

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