Familiar

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /fəˈmɪl.i.É™/
• US IPA: /fəˈmɪl.jÉš/, /fəˈmɪl.i.Éš/

Full definition of familiar

Adjective

1. Known to one.
• 2013-07-20, Welcome to the plastisphere, 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 which can manage this trick are already familiar to experts in the field.
2. there’s a familiar face;  that tune sounds familiar
3. Acquainted.
• 1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter 20, 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.
4. I'm quite familiar with this system;  she's not familiar with manual gears
5. Intimate or friendly.
   we are not on familiar terms;  our neighbour is not familiar
• ShakespeareBe thou familiar, but by no means vulgar.
6. Inappropriately intimate or friendly.
   Don’t be familiar with me, boy!
7. Of or pertaining to a family; familial.
• Byronfamiliar feuds

Synonyms

• (acquainted) acquainted
• (intimate, friendly) close, friendly, intimate, personal
• (inappropriately intimate or friendly) cheeky, fresh, impudent

Antonyms

• (known to one) unfamiliar, unknown
• (acquainted) unacquainted
• (intimate) cold, cool, distant, impersonal, standoffish, unfriendly

Derived terms

• overfamiliar
• familiarity
• familiarly

Noun

1. (obsolete) A member of one's family or household.
2. (obsolete) A close friend.
• 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, II.i.4.2:a friend of mine, that finding a receipt in Brassavola, would needs take hellebore in substance, and try it on his own person; but had not some of his familiars come to visit him by chance, he had by his indiscretion hazarded himself; many such I have observed.
3. An attendant spirit often in animal form.The witch’s familiar was a black cat.