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

The ruling thrusts the global trade economy into new and unfamiliar terrain.

From The Wall Street Journal

But late in the third period, with a gold medal on the line, they found themselves in a wholly unfamiliar position: behind on the scoreboard.

From The Wall Street Journal

So when Ilya offers him a tuna melt in episode four — something warm, messy, unfamiliar — and Shane accepts without hesitation, it’s not small.

From Salon

Days seem longer when exploring shops in unfamiliar parts of town or making friends while volunteering at a city park.

From The Wall Street Journal

A subcontractor unfamiliar with modular construction might bid a project higher than they otherwise would to compensate for the uncertainty.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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