familiar

²fa·mil·iar

adj \fə-ˈmil-yər\

Definition of FAMILIAR

1

: closely acquainted : intimate <a familiar family friend>

2

obsolete : affable, sociable

3

a : of or relating to a family <remembering past familiar celebrations> (see ¹family) 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>

— fa·mil·iar·ly adverb

— fa·mil·iar·ness noun

Examples of FAMILIAR

1. The essay covers familiar ground.
2. She has become a familiar figure in the world of politics.
3. She spoke in a familiar way about her past.
4. an essay written in a familiar style
5. a familiar way of addressing someone
6. They felt the waiter was being overly familiar.
7. Some authors, such as Richard Rodriguez and Ruben Martinez, will be familiar to media mavens outside the region … —Ray Olson, Booklist, 15 Oct. 1996
8. 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

Origin of FAMILIAR

Middle English familier, from Anglo-French, from Latin familiaris, from familia (see ¹family)

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to FAMILIAR

Synonyms: bosom, buddy-buddy, chummy, close, especial, friendly, inseparable, intimate, inward, near, thick, tight

Antonyms: distant

Related Words: clannish, close-knit, tight-knit; affable, boon, companionable, convivial, cordial, genial, gracious, hearty; gregarious, sociable, social; comfortable, cozy, easy, snug; amicable, neighborly; confidential, secretive; adoring, affectionate, dear, devoted, fond, loving, tender, tenderhearted, warm

Near Antonyms: aloof, antisocial, cold, cool, detached, distant, frosty, remote, reserved, standoffish, unfriendly, unsociable, withdrawn

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