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
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
Action step: Volunteer for projects outside your usual scope to expand your skills and demonstrate your ability to thrive in unfamiliar territory.
—
Kent Ingle, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
One possibility is that the chimps simply chose to imitate the android—much like people and animals often mimic others in unfamiliar social situations.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 5 June 2025
One section of the menu broadcasts the same unfamiliar word five times: choucroute.
—Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 5 June 2025
In the video, Pilot stands completely still, with his fluffy tail stuck up, visibly unsure about what to make of the unfamiliar clothing item.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfamiliar
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kent Ingle, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
One possibility is that the chimps simply chose to imitate the android—much like people and animals often mimic others in unfamiliar social situations.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 5 June 2025
One section of the menu broadcasts the same unfamiliar word five times: choucroute.
—Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 5 June 2025
In the video, Pilot stands completely still, with his fluffy tail stuck up, visibly unsure about what to make of the unfamiliar clothing item.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfamiliar
Cite this Entry
“Unfamiliar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfamiliar. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share