familiarity

American  

[fuh-mil-ee-ar-i-tee, -mil-yar-] / fəˌmɪl iˈær ɪ ti, -mɪlˈyær- /

noun

plural

familiarities

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.

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familiarity British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• overfamiliarity noun
• prefamiliarity noun

Etymology

Origin of familiarity

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

Example Sentences

“He’s a guy that I have familiarity with, history and a lot of reverence for because of the gratitude from our experiences together.”

From Los Angeles Times

Cinematic classics are works encased in amber, comfortable for their familiarity.

From Salon

At times, it almost feels too intimate, as if there’s a familiarity between filmmaker and subject that’s so innately present throughout filming that Coppola forgets not every viewer will come equipped with the same knowledge.

From Salon

Buying the assets in the overflow fund lets Calpers keep all profits and avoid fees, they said, while familiarity with the assets allowed Calpers to move quickly.

From The Wall Street Journal

Since familiarity is critical when traveling, Tu also suggests bringing the same food and water bowls your dog regularly uses at home.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• boldness
• closeness
• freshness
• intimacy