definitions
  • synonyms

familiar

[ fuh-mil-yer ]
/ fəˈmɪl yər /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR familiar ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

noun

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RELATED WORDS

simple, mundane, usual, intimate, recognizable, aware, acquainted, conversant, easy, comfortable, commonplace, natural, homespun, plain, household, domestic, routine, ordinary, native, stock

Nearby words

familial paroxysmal polyserositis, familial periodic paralysis, familial polyendocrine adenomatosis, familial screening, familial spinal muscular atrophy, familiar, familiarise, familiarity, familiarity breeds contempt, familiarization, familiarize

Origin of familiar

1300–50; Middle English < Latin familiāris of a household (see family, -ar1); replacing Middle English famulier < Middle French < Latin, as above
SYNONYMS FOR familiar
4 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.
5 forward, bold.
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Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for familiar

British Dictionary definitions for familiar

familiar

/ (fəˈmɪlɪə) /

adjective

noun

Derived Formsfamiliarly, adverbfamiliarness, noun

Word Origin for familiar

C14: from Latin familiāris domestic, from familia family
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for familiar

familiar

adj.

mid-14c., "intimate, very friendly, on a family footing," from Old French famelier, from Latin familiaris "domestic, of a household;" also "familiar, intimate, friendly," dissimilated from *familialis, from familia (see family). The sense gradually broadened. Of things, from late 15c. The noun meaning "demon, evil spirit that answers one's call" is from 1580s.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Idioms and Phrases with familiar

familiar

see have a familiar ring.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.