familiar
14 antonyms and opposites of familiar, grouped by meaning.
Adjective — Well known to you, or easy to recognise.
Antonyms
How to use familiar
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin familiaris, "of the household" — originally describing someone as close as family.
Full origin of familiar →Frequently asked questions
What does “familiar” mean?
The word “familiar” means well known to you, or easy to recognise. In plain terms, something you recognise or know well, or (as a noun) a witch's magical animal companion.
How do you pronounce “familiar”?
“Familiar” is pronounced fuh-MIHL-ee-uh (/fəˈmɪl.jɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “familiar” in a sentence?
Here is “familiar” used in a sentence: “That tune sounds familiar, but I can't place it.”
What is another word for “familiar”?
Words with a similar meaning to “familiar” include accustomed, habitual, known, predictable, routine and wonted.
What is the opposite of “familiar”?
The opposite of “familiar” — its antonyms — are ignorant, unfamiliar, unknown, unacquainted and cold.
What part of speech is “familiar”?
Depending on how it is used, “familiar” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “familiar” come from?
The word “familiar” comes from Latin. From Latin familiaris, "of the household" — originally describing someone as close as family.
Is “familiar” a common word?
“Familiar” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between familiar and famous?
Both come from ideas of being known, but they differ in scale and feeling. Familiar means well known to you personally — a face, a route, a song you recognise. Famous means known to very many people, widely celebrated. Something can be familiar to you alone yet not famous at all.
What is the opposite of familiar?
The main opposites are "unfamiliar," "strange," and "unknown" — describing something you do not recognise or have no experience of. "Foreign" and "novel" work too when the thing is new or unexpected. Each captures the sense of encountering something for the first time.
What is the difference between 'familiar with' and 'familiar to'?
The two phrasings flip the direction. You are "familiar with" something when you know it — "I'm familiar with the rules." Something is "familiar to" you when it is recognisable — "the tune is familiar to me." One centres on your knowledge, the other on the thing being recognised.