unfamiliarity

Intermediate (B1)

IPA: /ˌʌn.fɪlˈnɛr.ɪ.ti/

KK: /ʌnˌfɪlɪˈnɛrɪti/

noun

Definition

The state of not being familiar with something; a lack of knowledge or experience about a person, place, or thing.

Example

Her unfamiliarity with the city made it difficult for her to find her way around.

Conversation

I felt a bit of unfamiliarity when I entered the new café yesterday.

Yeah, it can be weird to try new places sometimes.

I think the unfamiliarity made me more nervous than I expected.

Totally! But it’s great to step out of your comfort zone.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

strangeness

novelty

unaccustomedness

Antonyms

familiarity

acquaintance

knowledge

Root Explanation

Unfamiliarity → It is formed from "un-" (meaning not) and "familiar" (from Latin *familiaris*, meaning of a household or well-known) and the suffix "-ity" (meaning the state or condition of). The word "unfamiliarity" means the state of not being well-known or not recognized.

Memory Tip

Think of 'not' ('un-') being added to 'familiar' which means well-known, and the '-ity' indicating a state. This helps you remember that 'unfamiliarity' refers to the state of not being well-known.

Visually Confused Words

infamiliarity