familiarize
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
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to make (oneself or someone else) familiar, as with a particular subject
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to make (something) generally known or accepted
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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familiarizationnoun
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familiarizernoun
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refamiliarizationnoun
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refamiliarizeverb (used with object)
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unfamiliarizedadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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familiarizesimple
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familiarizessimple
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have familiarizedperfect
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has familiarizedperfect
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am familiarizingprogressive
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are familiarizingprogressive
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is familiarizingprogressive
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have been familiarizingperfect progressive
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has been familiarizingperfect progressive
Past
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familiarizedsimple
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had familiarizedperfect
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was familiarizingprogressive
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were familiarizingprogressive
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had been familiarizingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of familiarize
Explanation
To familiarize yourself with something is to learn about it or become comfortable with it. Once you familiarize yourself with the unusual spices, you'll probably find Indian food delicious. You can familiarize yourself with the alphabet and particular sounds of a language before you start learning to speak it, and you can also familiarize a young child with the rules before her first trip to an art museum. Originally, familiarize meant "to make well-known," from familiar, from the Latin familiaris, "familiar or intimate," and the verb-forming suffix -ize.
Vocabulary lists containing familiarize
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
But the 21-year-old in Calgary says he did familiarize himself with the Wikipedia page.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
There’s another great feeling that I’d like you to familiarize yourself with: the power of compounding with your Roth IRA.
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 5, 2026
An intermission bought time to familiarize oneself with text squeezed onto the cellphone screen.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 19, 2026
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
He ran a hand over his face, trying to familiarize himself with the new shape.
From "1984" by George Orwell
Max Walker-Silverman, who wrote and directed this lovely first feature, familiarizes us with Faye’s daily routine before he even gives us a good look at her face.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2022
She familiarizes herself with an Ulla Johnson or a Proenza Schouler because she comes to Rent the Runway.
From The Verge ● Jul. 26, 2022
This familiarizes children with a variety of foods and makes it more likely for them to enjoy a wider selection of healthful options in the long run.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 11, 2021
In 2019, there are only five major conferences, but there are enough broadcast outlets to ensure that no announcing team ever familiarizes itself with any individual program.
From Slate ● Nov. 7, 2019
This chapter also familiarizes the reader with each method’s philosophy and principles, unique pedagogy, and practices and activities.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
They also reviewed the spacecraft's interior layout, tested communication systems, and familiarized themselves with the sounds produced by Dragon's fans and pumps.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 2, 2026
Business was steady, and working long shifts behind the counter familiarized them with the neighborhood and community.
From Slate ● Dec. 4, 2024
She added that it was “pretty cool” that many of Swift’s fans are getting familiarized with football because of the relationship.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 24, 2023
"We are just trying to get them familiarized with our language and culture," she wrote on Jan. 29, 2022.
From Salon ● Nov. 22, 2022
I don’t remind him that I still haven’t even seen Mr. X, let alone familiarized myself with his luggage.
From "Liar & Spy" by Rebecca Stead
Start by familiarizing yourself with the fundamentals of the stock that is the focus of the article you’re reading.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 4, 2026
By familiarizing yourself with local tenant protection laws and planning as best as possible, you can help find yourself with sky-high rent far above everyday market prices.
From Salon ● Feb. 15, 2025
His attorney, Jay Mykytiuk, said he was still familiarizing himself with the facts of the case and didn’t have immediate comment.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 7, 2024
I wasn’t just watching TV, I was talking to other fans online, familiarizing myself with publications and reading critics from every corner of the internet.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 7, 2023
In each new country, I would initially seal myself away in our hotel familiarizing myself with information about the country’s policies, history, and leadership.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
