familiarize

especially British, fa·mil·iar·ise

[fuh-mil-yuh-rahyz]

verb (used with object)

familiarized, familiarizing 

1. to make (onself or another person) well-acquainted or conversant with something.

   Synonyms: acquaint, accustom

2. to make (something) well-known; bring into common knowledge or use.

3. Archaic.,  to make familiar; establish (a person) in friendly intimacy.

verb (used without object)

familiarized, familiarizing 

1. Archaic.,  to associate in a familiar way.

familiarize

/ fəˈmɪljəˌraɪz /

verb

1. to make (oneself or someone else) familiar, as with a particular subject

2. to make (something) generally known or accepted

Other Word Forms

• familiarization noun
• familiarizer noun
• refamiliarization noun
• refamiliarize verb (used with object)
• unfamiliarized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of familiarize¹

First recorded in 1600–10; familiar + -ize

Example Sentences

Greene’s goals are to familiarize herself with markets so she will be comfortable with investing once she graduates from college and starts working full time.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

We need to familiarize ourselves with every phase of that process so we can recognize it when it happens here.

Read more on Salon

Human interaction was kept to a minimum throughout the rehabilitation process to familiarize the cubs with natural hunting behaviors and habitat, said Angela Hernandez-Cusick, a wildlife supervisor at the center.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Covering the criminal justice system in Louisiana often means familiarizing myself with things people in other parts of the country might find shocking.

Read more on Salon

He was therefore among the first people to take a hard-hat tour of the building when it was under construction so he could familiarize himself with the space.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• enlighten 
• naturalize