unfamiliar
adjective
un·fa·mil·iar
ˌən-fə-ˈmil-yər 
: not familiar:
a
: not well-known : strange
an unfamiliar place
—often used with toused words that were unfamiliar to me
b
: not well acquainted
unfamiliar with the subject
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
Staff weathering the storm The Cubs are more than halfway through the season and playing around a 90-win pace, yet their clubhouse often looks like a scene out of spring training, with new names, unfamiliar faces, and players coming and going.
—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
1 July 2026
Fredericson urges new ruckers to warm up before each session, hydrate well and tell someone the route when heading into unfamiliar areas.
—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 July 2026
While many people move abroad to expand their careers and gain international work experience, settling into a new country also means navigating unfamiliar customs, language, and routines.
—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
30 June 2026
After a tractor-trailer driver died, his dog Hennessy was scared and alone in an unfamiliar state.
—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfamiliar
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Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
1 July 2026
Fredericson urges new ruckers to warm up before each session, hydrate well and tell someone the route when heading into unfamiliar areas.
—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 July 2026
While many people move abroad to expand their careers and gain international work experience, settling into a new country also means navigating unfamiliar customs, language, and routines.
—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
30 June 2026
After a tractor-trailer driver died, his dog Hennessy was scared and alone in an unfamiliar state.
—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfamiliar
Cite this Entry
“Unfamiliar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfamiliar. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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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