unfamiliar
adjective
un·fa·mil·iar
ˌən-fə-ˈmil-yər 
: not familiar:
a
: not well-known : strange
an unfamiliar place
b
: not well acquainted
unfamiliar with the subject
Synonyms
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
Some of the food or the terminology used to describe it may be unfamiliar to many viewers — after all, most of it is being served in a fine-dining restaurant whose staff has trained with the world’s most elite chefs.
—
Emily Heil, Washington Post, 27 June 2024
Certificates of deposit may be unfamiliar to many, but bank officials say the application process is not, in fact, particularly complicated or time-consuming.
—Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 26 June 2024
Oftentimes when people come to county court they are unrepresented, unfamiliar with the legal system and do not speak the language.
—Jean Marie Middleton, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2024
For players unfamiliar with keyboard controls, the game can feel a bit overwhelming as the balance of movement, including precise jumping and switching to the glider requires timely input at the risk of death.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for unfamiliar 
Emily Heil, Washington Post, 27 June 2024
Certificates of deposit may be unfamiliar to many, but bank officials say the application process is not, in fact, particularly complicated or time-consuming.
—Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 26 June 2024
Oftentimes when people come to county court they are unrepresented, unfamiliar with the legal system and do not speak the language.
—Jean Marie Middleton, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2024
For players unfamiliar with keyboard controls, the game can feel a bit overwhelming as the balance of movement, including precise jumping and switching to the glider requires timely input at the risk of death.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for unfamiliar
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unfamiliar.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near unfamiliar
Cite this Entry
“Unfamiliar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfamiliar. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unfamiliar
adjective
un·fa·mil·iar
ˌən-fə-ˈmil-yər
1
: not well-known : strange
an unfamiliar place
2
: not well acquainted
unfamiliar with the subject
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