familiar

UK /fəˈmɪl.i.ə/ US /fəˈmɪl.jɚ/

noun 5adj 4

Definitions

adj

Known to one, or generally known; commonplace.

There’s a familiar face; that tune sounds familiar.

The story struck the depressingly familiar note with which true stories ring in the tried ears of experienced policemen. No one queried it. It was in the classic pattern of human weakness, mean and embarrassing and sad.

Acquainted.

I'm quite familiar with this system; she's not familiar with manual gears.

Intimate or friendly.

We are on familiar terms now; our neighbour is not familiar

Don’t be familiar with me, boy!

Of or pertaining to a family; familial.

1822, Lord Byron, Werner familiar feuds

noun

An attendant spirit, often in animal or demon form.

The witch’s familiar was a black cat.

The familiars of the magicians, on the other hand, were not in all cases evil, and often may have approximated the "guides" with whom present-day spiritualists are well acquainted.

A member of one's family or household.

A member of a pope's or bishop's household.

A close friend.

[A] friend of mine, that finding a Receipt in Braſsivola, would needs take Hellebor in ſubſtance, & try it on his own perſon; but had not ſome of his familiars come to viſite him by chance, he had by his indiſcretion hazarded himſelfe; many ſuch I have obſerued.

The officer of the Inquisition who arrested suspected people.

Collocations

(adj.) well-known

VERBS

be, feel, look, seem, smell, sound

That song sounds familiar, but I can't remember the artist's name.

become

make sth

ADV

distinctly, very

The old song sounded very familiar when I heard it on the radio this morning.

entirely

increasingly

faintly, fairly, quite, rather, reasonably, slightly, vaguely

enough

After visiting the museum three times, the exhibits were familiar enough that she could guide her friends around.

already

immediately, instantly

The melody sounded immediately familiar when she heard it on the radio.

somehow

That old song sounds somehow familiar, though I can't remember where I heard it.

curiously, disconcertingly, oddly, strangely

The old melody sounded oddly familiar, though I couldn't remember where I'd heard it before.

blessedly, comfortingly

After months abroad, hearing my mother's voice on the phone was comfortingly familiar.

all too, depressingly, horribly, painfully, sickeningly

The sound of ambulance sirens outside our apartment has become all too familiar this year.

PREP

The faces in the old photograph were becoming more familiar to me as I studied them carefully.

(adj.) familiar with sth: having a good knowledge of sth

VERBS

be, seem

become, get, grow

As you spend more time here, you'll grow familiar with all the staff members.

ADV

extremely, intimately, very

completely, fully, perfectly, thoroughly

My sister is completely familiar with the city because she lived there for ten years.

increasingly

fairly, pretty, quite, reasonably

already

Thesaurus

Synonyms

noun — a friend who is frequently in the company of another

adjective — having mutual interests or affections

intimate

Antonyms

unfamiliar
strange
unusual

Idioms & Phrases

Example Bank

There’s a familiar face; that tune sounds familiar.

Wiktionary

Plastics are energy-rich substances, which is why many of them burn so readily. Any organism that could unlock and use that energy would do well in the Anthropocene. Terrestrial bacteria and fungi whi

Wiktionary

The witch’s familiar was a black cat.

Wiktionary

The familiars of the magicians, on the other hand, were not in all cases evil, and often may have approximated the "guides" with whom present-day spiritualists are well acquainted.

Wiktionary

"What power hath gold?" Catweazle wondered as he picked up his familiar and put him in his special pocket.

Wiktionary

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, familiar is marked as obsolete, historical. Watch for register when choosing this word.

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