familiar

[ fuh-mil-yer ]

adjective

1. commonly or generally known or seen:

   a familiar sight.

2. well-acquainted; thoroughly conversant:

   to be familiar with a subject.

3. informal; easygoing; unceremonious; unconstrained:

   to write in a familiar style.

4. closely intimate or personal:

   a familiar friend; to be on familiar terms.

5. unduly intimate; too personal; taking liberties; presuming:

   The duchess disliked familiar servants.

   Synonyms: bold, forward

6. domesticated; tame.
7. of or relating to a family or household.

noun

1. a familiar friend or associate.
2. familiar spirit. Witchcraft and Demonology. a supernatural spirit or demon, often in the form of an animal, supposed to serve and aid a witch or other individual.
3. Roman Catholic Church.
   1. an officer of the Inquisition, employed to arrest accused or suspected persons.
   2. a person who belongs to the household of the pope or of a bishop, rendering domestic though not menial service.

familiar

/ fəˈmɪlɪə /

adjective

1. well-known; easily recognized

   a familiar figure

2. frequent or customary

   a familiar excuse

3. postpositivefoll bywith acquainted
4. friendly; informal
5. close; intimate
6. more intimate than is acceptable; presumptuous
7. an archaic word for familial

noun

1. Also calledfamiliar spirit a supernatural spirit often assuming animal form, supposed to attend and aid a witch, wizard, etc
2. a person, attached to the household of the pope or a bishop, who renders service in return for support
3. an officer of the Inquisition who arrested accused persons
4. a friend or frequent companion

Derived Forms

• faˈmiliarness, noun
• faˈmiliarly, adverb

Other Words From

• fa·mil·iar·ly adverb
• fa·mil·iar·ness noun
• non·fa·mil·iar adjective
• non·fa·mil·iar·ly adverb
• o·ver·fa·mil·iar adjective
• o·ver·fa·mil·iar·ly adverb
• pre·fa·mil·iar adjective
• pre·fa·mil·iar·ly adverb
• qua·si-fa·mil·iar adjective
• qua·si-fa·mil·iar·ly adverb
• ul·tra·fa·mil·iar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of familiar¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Latin familiāris “of a household,” family, -ar ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of familiar¹

C14: from Latin familiāris domestic, from familia family

Idioms and Phrases

see have a familiar ring .

Synonym Study

Familiar, confidential, intimate suggest a long association between persons. Familiar means well-acquainted with another person: a familiar friend. Confidential suggests a sense of mutual trust that extends to the sharing of confidences and secrets: a confidential adviser. Intimate suggests close acquaintance or connection, often based on interest, sympathy, or affection: intimate and affectionate letters.

Example Sentences

“This kind of tourism is more and more familiar on the Chinese internet,” he says.

From BBC

The district also has assigned a special cadre of substitutes to Jefferson so they could become familiar with the students there.

From Los Angeles Times

The teenager’s story, indeed much of her life, will be familiar to the many families who have struggled to navigate the creaking mental health system, leaving them feeling their concerns have been downplayed or dismissed.

From BBC

“He doesn’t look even remotely familiar,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

When our undercover reporter arrived there, the man running it appeared familiar with the arrangement.

From BBC

Related Words

• intimate
• mundane
• recognizable
• simple
• usual