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

Example Sentences

When this familiarity dovetailed with a catfishing scheme, Tegan and many fans became ensnared in a sophisticated identity theft operation that lasted over 15 years.

From New York Times

"I am only young, there will be new programmes for me to watch, but I worry about the older generation who depend on the familiarity of the show," said Ms Ashby.

From BBC

But she said that some things don't change - with retailers keen to conjure up a sense of cosiness and familiarity.

From BBC

"The whole thing hangs on contrivance and familiarity, not characters, so the fights don’t seem to matter much."

From BBC

It's not that he likes it, but with custody comes familiarity.

From BBC

Related Words

• awareness
• knowledge
• sense
• understanding