familiar
1 of 2noun
fa·mil·iar fə-ˈmil-yər 
1
: a member of the household of a high official
2
: one who is often seen and well known
especially : an intimate associate : companion
3
: a spirit often embodied in an animal and held to attend and serve or guard a person
the loathsome toad, the witches' familiar
Harvey Graham
Harvey Graham4
a
: one who is well acquainted with something
familiars of violence John Updike
John Updike b
: one who frequents a place
familiars of the embassy Rebecca West
Rebecca Westfamiliar
2 of 2adjective
fa·mil·iar fə-ˈmil-yər
1
: closely acquainted : intimate
a familiar family friend
2
obsolete : affable, sociable
3
a
: of or relating to a family
remembering past familiar celebrations
b
: frequented by families
a familiar resort
4
a
: being free and easy
the familiar association of old friends
b
: marked by informality
a familiar essay
c
: overly free and unrestrained : presumptuous
grossly familiar behavior
d
: moderately tame
familiar animals
5
a
: frequently seen or experienced : easily recognized
a familiar theme
b
: of everyday occurrence
a familiar routine
c
: possibly known but imperfectly remembered
her face looked familiar
6
: having personal or intimate knowledge —used with with
familiar with the facts of the case
familiarly adverb
familiarness noun
Synonyms
Noun
- denizen
- frequenter
- habitué
- habitue
- haunter
- rat
- regular
Adjective
- bosom
- buddy-buddy
- chummy
- close
- especial
- friendly
- inseparable
- intimate
- inward
- near
- thick
- tight
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun a longtime familiar of the bar, she would most likely have been there on the night in question with old familiars the normally reserved writer can be quite warm and funny Adjective Some authors, such as Richard Rodriguez and Ruben Martinez, will be familiar to media mavens outside the region … Ray Olson, Booklist, 15 Oct. 1996 I think one reason I finally have finished a novel about baseball is that it happens to be one of the few subjects that I know much about. If I were as familiar with forestry, music, … or the city of Rotterdam, I am sure I would have written fiction grounded in that knowledge long ago. Philip Roth, Reading Myself and Others, 1975 The essay covers familiar ground. She has become a familiar figure in the world of politics. She spoke in a familiar way about her past. an essay written in a familiar style a familiar way of addressing someone They felt the waiter was being overly familiar. See More
Ray Olson, Booklist, 15 Oct. 1996 I think one reason I finally have finished a novel about baseball is that it happens to be one of the few subjects that I know much about. If I were as familiar with forestry, music, … or the city of Rotterdam, I am sure I would have written fiction grounded in that knowledge long ago. Philip Roth, Reading Myself and Others, 1975 The essay covers familiar ground. She has become a familiar figure in the world of politics. She spoke in a familiar way about her past. an essay written in a familiar style a familiar way of addressing someone They felt the waiter was being overly familiar. See More Recent Examples on the Web Amy Drew Thompson, orlandosentinel.com, 29 Aug. 2021 John Obi Mikel, a Nigerian familiar for his years with Chelsea, left another Turkish team, Trabzonspor, this week. Victor Mather, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2020 During the Salem witch hunts, common folklore said that witches transformed into their familiars (black cats). Lisa Stardust, Teen Vogue, 22 Oct. 2019 For Fringe familiars, there are a few changes for 2019, Bentley says. Kathy Berdan, Twin Cities, 29 July 2019 According to demon lore, Paimon is a master of the arts and familiars (spirits that often manifest as animals) who will bless his followers with wealth. Yohana Desta, HWD, 8 June 2018 Toi GB took the microphone, started to sing in a familiar growled whisper, and the room erupted in cheers. Jenn Harris, latimes.com, 25 May 2018 Such moments sum up the charm of Mardi Gras, when fact and fiction, reality and fantasy, alight among familiars and strangers alike. The Masked Observer, AL.com, 26 Jan. 2018 In the books, Ambrose has snake familiars who do not get along with Salem, and also has a cute British accent. Alexis Nedd, Cosmopolitan, 8 Jan. 2018 Matt Sullivan, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2022 Goldman Sachs is planning the biggest round of job cuts since the start of the pandemic, according to people familiar with the decision. Paolo Confino, Fortune, 13 Sep. 2022 These stakes are now held by his new company Flow, according to people familiar with the matter. Konrad Putzier, WSJ, 13 Sep. 2022 In June, people familiar with the situation said market makers Citadel Securities and Virtu Financial Inc. were building a crypto trading platform along with Fidelity and fellow retail brokerage Charles Schwab Corp. David Pan, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Sep. 2022 The Wall Street Journal last week reported that Twitter agreed in June to pay roughly $7 million as part of a settlement agreement with Zatko, citing people familiar with the matter. Clare Duffy, CNN, 12 Sep. 2022 People familiar with the situation told the Post and other news organizations that the Manhattan district attorney's office is pursuing charges similar to a federal case cut short by Trump's pardon of Bannon. Harold Maass, The Week, 7 Sep. 2022 The Times confirmed her identity through case records, people familiar with the matter and some copies of emails that were briefly filed in court this summer and later redacted. Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2022 But three people familiar with the matter confirmed Bannon is expected to turn himself in on Thursday. Shayna Jacobs, Jacqueline Alemany And Josh Dawsey, Anchorage Daily News, 7 Sep. 2022 See More
Noun
Alongside the food-court familiar, though, diners will find frog legs, beef tendon, pork intestine. Amy Drew Thompson, orlandosentinel.com, 29 Aug. 2021 John Obi Mikel, a Nigerian familiar for his years with Chelsea, left another Turkish team, Trabzonspor, this week. Victor Mather, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2020 During the Salem witch hunts, common folklore said that witches transformed into their familiars (black cats). Lisa Stardust, Teen Vogue, 22 Oct. 2019 For Fringe familiars, there are a few changes for 2019, Bentley says. Kathy Berdan, Twin Cities, 29 July 2019 According to demon lore, Paimon is a master of the arts and familiars (spirits that often manifest as animals) who will bless his followers with wealth. Yohana Desta, HWD, 8 June 2018 Toi GB took the microphone, started to sing in a familiar growled whisper, and the room erupted in cheers. Jenn Harris, latimes.com, 25 May 2018 Such moments sum up the charm of Mardi Gras, when fact and fiction, reality and fantasy, alight among familiars and strangers alike. The Masked Observer, AL.com, 26 Jan. 2018 In the books, Ambrose has snake familiars who do not get along with Salem, and also has a cute British accent. Alexis Nedd, Cosmopolitan, 8 Jan. 2018 Adjective
But some people familiar with the process remember Plank personally emphasizing the UA logo, just as Curry’s imprimatur was coming into its own; sales of his 2016 sneaker were disappointing. Matt Sullivan, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2022 Goldman Sachs is planning the biggest round of job cuts since the start of the pandemic, according to people familiar with the decision. Paolo Confino, Fortune, 13 Sep. 2022 These stakes are now held by his new company Flow, according to people familiar with the matter. Konrad Putzier, WSJ, 13 Sep. 2022 In June, people familiar with the situation said market makers Citadel Securities and Virtu Financial Inc. were building a crypto trading platform along with Fidelity and fellow retail brokerage Charles Schwab Corp. David Pan, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Sep. 2022 The Wall Street Journal last week reported that Twitter agreed in June to pay roughly $7 million as part of a settlement agreement with Zatko, citing people familiar with the matter. Clare Duffy, CNN, 12 Sep. 2022 People familiar with the situation told the Post and other news organizations that the Manhattan district attorney's office is pursuing charges similar to a federal case cut short by Trump's pardon of Bannon. Harold Maass, The Week, 7 Sep. 2022 The Times confirmed her identity through case records, people familiar with the matter and some copies of emails that were briefly filed in court this summer and later redacted. Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2022 But three people familiar with the matter confirmed Bannon is expected to turn himself in on Thursday. Shayna Jacobs, Jacqueline Alemany And Josh Dawsey, Anchorage Daily News, 7 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective and Noun
Middle English familier, from Anglo-French, from Latin familiaris, from familia — see family entry 1
First Known Use
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing familiar
Kids Definition
familiar
adjective
fa·mil·iar fə-ˈmil-yər
1
: often seen, heard, or experienced
She read us a familiar story.
2
: closely acquainted : intimate
familiar friends
3
: having a good knowledge of
Parents should be familiar with their children's schools.
4
: informal sense 1
He spoke in a familiar way.
5
: too friendly or bold
familiar 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in close
closely acquainted the little inside jokes that people who have long been familiar like to share Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- close
- intimate
- friendly
- comfortable
- chummy
- inseparable
- near
- tight
- bosom
- inward
- especial
- loving
- thick
- affable
- easy
- dear
- affectionate
- buddy-buddy
- convivial
- companionable
- social
- cozy
- gracious
- fond
- close-knit
- tight-knit
- gregarious
- boon
- genial
- adoring
- clannish
- warm
- sociable
- neighborly
- hearty
- cordial
- secretive
- confidential
- amicable
- snug
- devoted
- tenderhearted
- tender
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- distant
- distant
- cool
- remote
- cold
- unfriendly
- withdrawn
- aloof
- detached
- frosty
- antisocial
- standoffish
- reserved
- unsociable
2
as in acquainted
having information especially as a result of study or experience book editors who are familiar with what is being taught in the schools Synonyms & Similar Words
- acquainted
- informed
- aware
- up
- conversant
- knowledgeable
- versed
- abreast
- at home
- well-informed
- up-to-date
- alive
- mindful
- cognizant
- conscious
- in the know
- sensible
- au courant
- heedful
- sentient
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unfamiliar
- ignorant
- unaware
- uninformed
- unconscious
- unacquainted
- unmindful
- blind
- oblivious
- insensible
- unknowledgeable
- unwitting
- unknowing
- inattentive
- unheeding
3
as in ubiquitous
often observed or encountered the woman and her pair of Welsh corgis were a familiar sight in the quiet neighborhood Synonyms & Similar Words
- ubiquitous
- usual
- commonplace
- common
- household
- ordinary
- frequent
- general
- routine
- everyday
- prevailing
- popular
- quotidian
- normal
- standard
- common or garden
- garden-variety
- prevalent
- regular
- universal
- constant
- mandatory
- continuous
- a dime a dozen
- obligatory
- repeated
- continual
- recurrent
- perennial
- incessant
- endemic
- rampant
- ceaseless
- unceasing
- de rigueur
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unusual
- unfamiliar
- extraordinary
- rare
- seldom
- uncommon
- infrequent
- abnormal
- unnatural
- occasional
- irregular
- intermittent
- sporadic
- aberrant
4
as in overfamiliar
showing a lack of proper social reserve or modesty rather too familiar for a first-time guest in our home, the woman kept asking how much we paid for this or for that Synonyms & Similar Words
- overfamiliar
- smug
- arrogant
- important
- proud
- confident
- bold
- forward
- presumptuous
- presuming
- immodest
- selfish
- sure
- bumptious
- disdainful
- complacent
- free
- fresh
- uppity
- snobbish
- vain
- saucy
- pretentious
- highfalutin
- supercilious
- pompous
- haughty
- superior
- cavalier
- domineering
- cheeky
- brazen
- conceited
- vainglorious
- impudent
- sassy
- egomaniacal
- audacious
- brassy
- cocky
- self-satisfied
- prideful
- overbold
- egotistic
- hifalutin
- hoity-toity
- high-and-mighty
- insolent
- brash
- brassbound
- impertinent
- pert
- egoistic
- lordly
- boastful
- self-important
- stuck-up
- overweening
- bragging
- self-complacent
- bold-faced
- egotistical
- high-hat
- self-assured
- imperious
- braggart
- egoistical
- self-assertive
- self-conceited
- self-asserting
- self-confident
- self-engrossed
- high-handed
- self-infatuated
- self-concerned
- self-absorbed
- self-interested
- self-involved
- self-centered
- self-obsessed
- self-seeking
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unassuming
- humble
- modest
- unpretentious
- lowly
- meek
- timid
- bashful
- unassertive
- demure
- down-to-earth
- shy
- diffident
- timorous
- mousy
- retiring
- mousey
- self-doubting
familiar
2 of 2noun
1
as in regular
someone who regularly spends time in a particular place a longtime familiar of the bar, she would most likely have been there on the night in question Synonyms & Similar Words
- regular
- fan
- lover
- denizen
- frequenter
- habitué
- rat
- patron
- habitue
- guest
- haunter
- client
- customer
- fancier
- enthusiast
- devotee
- fanatic
- aficionado
- addict
- fiend
- freak
- bug
- buff
- maniac
- afficionado
- nut
2
as in friend
a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another with old familiars the normally reserved writer can be quite warm and funny Synonyms & Similar Words
- friend
- buddy
- intimate
- confidant
- pal
- alter ego
- colleague
- compadre
- chum
- acquaintance
- comrade
- confidante
- associate
- sister
- amigo
- crony
- partner
- friendly
- brother
- hearty
- fellow
- musketeer
- mate
- companion
- peer
- ally
- cohort
- accomplice
- main man
- collaborator
- sport
- abetter
- benefactor
- confederate
- hobnobber
- pen pal
- supporter
- blood brother
- sympathizer
- abettor
- well-wisher
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- enemy
- foe
- adversary
- competitor
- rival
- opponent
- antagonist
- nemesis
- archenemy
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of familiar are common, ordinary, plain, popular, and vulgar. While all these words mean "generally met with and not in any way special, strange, or unusual," familiar stresses the fact of being generally known and easily recognized.
a familiar melody
The words common and familiar can be used in similar contexts, but common implies usual everyday quality or frequency of occurrence and may additionally suggest inferiority or coarseness.
a common error
lacked common honesty
common manners
The words ordinary and familiar are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ordinary stresses conformance in quality or kind with the regular order of things.
an ordinary pleasant summer day
a very ordinary sort of man
While the synonyms plain and familiar are close in meaning, plain is likely to suggest homely simplicity.
plain hard-working people
In some situations, the words popular and familiar are roughly equivalent. However, popular applies to what is accepted by or prevalent among people in general sometimes in contrast to upper classes or special groups.
a writer of popular romances
Vulgar, otherwise similar to popular, is likely to carry derogatory connotations (as of inferiority or coarseness).
souvenirs designed to appeal to the vulgar taste