English Explanatory Dictionary

familiar

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Known to one, or generally known; commonplace.
  2. Acquainted.
  3. Intimate or friendly.
  4. Of or pertaining to a family; familial.
noun
  1. An attendant spirit, often in animal or demon form.
  2. A member of one's family or household.
  3. A member of a pope's or bishop's household.
  4. A close friend.
  5. The officer of the Inquisition who arrested suspected people.

Pronunciation

/fəˈmɪl.i.ə/ /fəˈmɪl.jɚ/ /fəˈmɪl.i.ɚ/ /fɚˈmɪl.jɚ/ en-us-familiar.ogg /fəˈmil(ɪ)jə(r)/ /ˈfam(ɪ)lɪjə(r)/

Word forms

familiar more familiar most familiar familiars

Etymology

From Middle English familiar, familier, from Latin familiāris (“pertaining to servants; pertaining to the household”). By surface analysis, family + -ar. Piecewise doublet of familial. Displaced native Old English hīwcūþ.

Synonyms

accustomed familiar habitual known predictable routine wonted wontish acquainted close friendly intimate personal cheeky fresh impudent nigget

Antonyms

ignorant unfamiliar unknown unacquainted cold cool distant impersonal standoffish unfriendly strange unaccustomed unpredictable unwonted

Related words

familial accepted approved believed recognized daimon

Derived words

confamiliar familiar fraud familiarisation familiarise familiarism familiarity familiarization familiarize familiarly familiarness familiar stranger hyperfamiliar nonfamiliar on familiar ground overfamiliar semifamiliar ultrafamiliar
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