unfamiliar
uhn-fuh-MIH-lee-uh
Unfamiliar (adj) means not known or recognised; strange. Example: “She found herself in an unfamiliar city with no map.”
adj
1
Not known or recognised; strange.
"She found herself in an unfamiliar city with no map."
"His face was unfamiliar to everyone at the party."
"The unfamiliar smell coming from the cellar made us nervous."
2
Having no knowledge or experience of something.
"I'm unfamiliar with the local customs, so please correct me if I get something wrong."
"Many users are unfamiliar with how the new software works."
"She was unfamiliar with the game, so we explained the rules slowly."
How to use unfamiliar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishStrange or not known to you, or lacking experience with something.
Common pairings
unfamiliar with
unfamiliar territory
unfamiliar face
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Word forms
- Plural
- unfamiliars
- Comparative
- more unfamiliar
- Superlative
- most unfamiliar
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She found herself in an _____ city with no map.
Etymology
Formed from un- + familiar, going back through Old English un- to a Proto-Germanic negating prefix.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for unfamiliar
See all rhymes for unfamiliar →Frequently asked questions
What does “unfamiliar” mean?
The word “unfamiliar” means not known or recognised; strange. In plain terms, strange or not known to you, or lacking experience with something.
How do you pronounce “unfamiliar”?
“Unfamiliar” is pronounced uhn-fuh-MIH-lee-uh (/ˌʌnfəˈmɪli.ə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “unfamiliar” in a sentence?
Here is “unfamiliar” used in a sentence: “She found herself in an unfamiliar city with no map.”
What part of speech is “unfamiliar”?
“Unfamiliar” is an adjective.
Where does the word “unfamiliar” come from?
The word “unfamiliar” comes from Old English. Formed from un- + familiar, going back through Old English un- to a Proto-Germanic negating prefix.
Is “unfamiliar” a common word?
“Unfamiliar” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “unfamiliar” have?
“Unfamiliar” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not known or recognised; strange.
What is the difference between unfamiliar and unknown?
Unfamiliar suggests something has not been encountered before or is not recognized, while unknown suggests information or identity that has not been discovered or established at all. A face can be unfamiliar because you have not met the person, whereas an unknown quantity in maths has no established value yet.
Is unfamiliar followed by 'with' or 'to'?
Both are correct depending on meaning. Use 'unfamiliar with' when someone lacks knowledge or experience of something, as in 'unfamiliar with the software,' and use 'unfamiliar to' when something is not recognized by someone, as in 'the name was unfamiliar to me.'
Can unfamiliar describe both people and places?
Yes, unfamiliar can describe a person's lack of experience with a subject, an unfamiliar face, or an unfamiliar place someone has never visited. In every case it signals a lack of prior knowledge or recognition.
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