familiarity

[ fuh-mil-ee-ar-i-tee, -mil-yar- ]

noun

, plural fa·mil·i·ar·i·ties.

1. thorough knowledge or mastery of a thing, subject, etc.
2. the state of being familiar; friendly relationship; close acquaintance; intimacy.
3. an absence of ceremony and formality; informality.

   Synonyms: unconstraint

4. freedom of behavior justified only by the closest relationship; undue intimacy.

   Synonyms: license, freedom, liberty

5. Often familiarities. an instance of such freedom, as in action or speech.
6. a sexual liberty or impropriety.

familiarity

/ fəˌmɪlɪˈærɪtɪ /

noun

1. reasonable knowledge or acquaintance, as with a subject or place
2. close acquaintanceship or intimacy
3. undue intimacy
4. sometimes plural an instance of unwarranted intimacy

Other Words From

• o·ver·fa·mil·i·ar·i·ty noun
• pre·fa·mil·i·ar·i·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of familiarity¹

1350–1400; Middle English familiarite (< Anglo-French ) < Latin familiāritās intimacy. See familiar, -ity

Related Words

• awareness
• knowledge
• sense
• understanding