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:
So please, familiarize yourself with it and use it.
From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2026
“It was received in a way that not only did we want to change how we, you know, approach today, but also to familiarize ourselves with sustaining the way that this feels moving forward.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2026
Before diving into specific recipes, it’s important to familiarize yourself with ingredients that can be used in lieu of onions, Chavez says.
From Salon ● Feb. 26, 2026
You should also familiarize yourself with inheritance laws.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 28, 2026
Burt and I spent four hours going through the lab section by section, as I tried to familiarize myself with the total picture.
From "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes
A jagged, Tarantinian flashback structure slowly familiarizes us with the plotters.
From New York Times ● Apr. 6, 2023
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
Kurilla, confirmed to his post in February, is traveling throughout Central Asia this month, meeting with American diplomats and foreign counterparts as he familiarizes himself with what has been one of the Pentagon’s highest-profile assignments.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 15, 2022
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
After Hirono said that she had just familiarized Bondi with Trump’s statement, Bondi again insisted that she was not aware of the remarks and had no further comment.
From Salon ● Jan. 15, 2025
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
After my previous experience on the horns I had familiarized myself with the Rerum Codex, the University’s official rules.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
Moving forward, be sure you’re properly preparing for your interview, meaning you are researching the company and familiarizing yourself with the other players in the industry.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 16, 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
The exaggerated perils of fictional monsters create strong emotional and behavioral responses, familiarizing us with these reactions for when we have to deal with more down-to-earth dangers.
From Scientific American ● Oct. 20, 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.
