adj
unfamiliar
uhn-fuh-MIH-lee-uh
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."
2
Having no knowledge or experience of something.
"I'm unfamiliar with the local customs, so please correct me if I get something wrong."
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
Word Forms
more unfamiliar comparative, unfamiliars plural, most unfamiliar superlative
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Etymology
Formed from un- + familiar, going back through Old English un- to a Proto-Germanic negating prefix.