unfamiliar

[ uhn-fuh-mil-yer ]

/ ˌʌn fəˈmɪl yər /

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See synonyms for unfamiliar on Thesaurus.com

adjective

not familiar; not acquainted with or conversant about: to be unfamiliar with a subject.

different; unaccustomed; unusual; strange: an unfamiliar treat.

OTHER WORDS FOR unfamiliar

2 curious, novel, new.

See synonyms for unfamiliar on Thesaurus.com

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of unfamiliar

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

OTHER WORDS FROM unfamiliar

un·fa·mil·i·ar·i·ty

[uhn-fuh-mil-ee-ar-i-tee], /ˌʌn fəˌmɪl iˈær ɪ ti/, nounun·fa·mil·iar·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use unfamiliar in a sentence

Most of the observers were young and seemed unfamiliar with election law, but they lodged complaints anyway, Kemp said.
‘We will not allow anyone to stop us’: Day and night, under historic scrutiny, the nation’s vote counters carried on|Amy Gardner, Reis Thebault, Hannah Knowles, Michelle Lee|November 9, 2020|Washington Post
Whatever the reason, Lynchburg’s flip has given local Democrats an unfamiliar spring in their step.
Lynchburg goes blue for president for the first time since Harry Truman in 1948|Laura Vozzella, Susan Svrluga|November 8, 2020|Washington Post
The first planets discovered outside our solar system were strange, unfamiliar worlds.
There Could Be 300 Million (or More) Earth-Like Planets in Our Galaxy|Jason Dorrier|November 8, 2020|Singularity Hub
There’s a sense of teasing wonderment in the way the Koappites rename each unfamiliar piece of fruit.
‘Pikmin 3 Deluxe’ loses some of its original charm|Michael Thomsen|October 30, 2020|Washington Post

Many of the options in Atlanta she’s found are smoked or barbecued, a treatment for the holiday bird that’s unfamiliar to the New York native.
Welcome to ‘Thanksgiving-ish,’ with fondue nights, soup buffets and takeout turkey|Emily Heil|October 30, 2020|Washington Post
Political change is accelerating at the speed of technology, adding unfamiliarity and uncertainty into the mix of things to fear.
Daniel Gordis Has It Backwards|Mark Baker|December 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST
A suggestion of what may happen is perhaps already to be found in the general unfamiliarity of scholars with these dictionaries.
A History of Bibliographies of Bibliographies|Archer Taylor
I have remarked upon the unfamiliarity of modern students of theology with Peignot's term thologie positive.
A History of Bibliographies of Bibliographies|Archer Taylor
Or, as Aristotle had said long before, there must be "a certain admixture of unfamiliarity," a continual slight novelty.
Impressions And Comments|Havelock Ellis
Whether from an unfamiliarity with wild men, or from some other reason, this creature proved offensive to him.
The Pines of Lory|John Ames Mitchell
Our little heads would swim in the sickness of our unfamiliarity.
The Golden Censer|John McGovern

British Dictionary definitions for unfamiliar

unfamiliar

/ (ˌʌnfəˈmɪljə) /

adjective

not known or experienced; strange

(postpositive foll by with) not familiar

Derived forms of unfamiliar

unfamiliarity (ˌʌnfəˌmɪlɪˈærɪtɪ), noununfamiliarly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

unfamiliar

OTHER WORDS FOR unfamiliar

Origin of unfamiliar

OTHER WORDS FROM unfamiliar

Words related to unfamiliar

How to use unfamiliar in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for unfamiliar

Derived forms of unfamiliar