B1adjective10K+

Unaccustomed

UK //ʌnəˈkʌstəmd//US //ˌʌnəˈkʌstəmd//

Definition

Not familiar or used to something.

In simple words: Not used to something; unfamiliar.

Examples

  • She felt unaccustomed to the cold weather after living in a warm climate.
  • His unaccustomed silence made everyone worried about his mood.
  • After a week of vacation, he was unaccustomed to the fast pace of work again.
  • The unaccustomed taste of the dish surprised her.
  • They were unaccustomed to such high altitudes during their hike.
  • Having an unaccustomed workload this month has stressed us out.

Usage notes

Use 'unaccustomed' to describe a lack of familiarity or experience with something. It can refer to behaviors or reactions.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Think of 'unusual' - when you're unaccustomed, things feel unusual!

Collocations

  • unaccustomed behavior
  • unaccustomed silence
  • unaccustomed situation

Synonyms

  • unfamiliar
  • novel
  • strange
  • new

Antonyms

  • accustomed
  • familiar

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'not used to', which is more informal.
  • Misused as a verb; it's an adjective not a verb.
  • Used in incorrect contexts, such as passive construction.