familiarize

American  

[fuh-mil-yuh-rahyz] / fəˈmɪl yəˌraɪz /

especially British, familiarise

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.

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verb (used without object)

familiarized, familiarizing

1. Archaic. to associate in a familiar way.

familiarize British  

/ fəˈmɪljəˌraɪz /

verb

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

2. to make (something) generally known or accepted

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of familiarize

First recorded in 1600–10; familiar + -ize

Example Sentences

An intermission bought time to familiarize oneself with text squeezed onto the cellphone screen.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 19, 2026

“We listened to Lambert, Hendricks & Ross albums to familiarize ourselves with Jon’s vocal style,” Mr. Weir said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026

As your home is your major asset, think about reverse-mortgage counseling, if only to familiarize yourself with the issue.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 18, 2025

It’s important to taste the soy sauce first and familiarize yourself with its flavor and salt content before using it when baking, Lieu advises.

From Salon • Dec. 13, 2025

I walked around to familiarize myself with my vicinity.

From "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" by Ishmael Beah

Related Words

• enlighten
• naturalize