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. postpositivefoll bywith not familiar

Derived Forms

• ˌunfaˈmiliarly, adverb
• unfamiliarity, noun

Other Words From

• un·fa·mil·i·ar·i·ty [uhn-f, uh, -mil-ee-, ar, -i-tee], noun
• unfa·miliar·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unfamiliar¹

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

Example Sentences

For all the dollar signs and headlines though, his first game of union since his school days will come at Test level, with unfamiliar team-mates alongside him and 80,000 fans in front of him.

From BBC

The finalists alleged that Jiang had made “several apparent writing mistakes” in an online video and that she “seemed unfamiliar with these mathematical expressions and symbols”.

From BBC

For example, it would incorporate unfamiliar cuts of meats into meatloaf or meatballs or grind crickets into flour for cookies or protein bars.

From Salon

Having last beaten their opponents in 2003, England were in unfamiliar territory holding the advantage at the break, but Barritt said they were disappointed not to be further in front.

From BBC

Betts was distracted when the Dodgers began the season by moving him to an unfamiliar shortstop.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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