Pronunciation

/ˈfam·ə·lir/

Definitions

• Adjective: Having a thorough knowledge or understanding of something through frequent experience or association; well acquainted with. For example: “She’s familiar with the city’s layout after living here for many years.”
• Adjective: Denoting something that is well known or recognized from previous encounters; not strange or unusual. For example: “The old house had a familiar feel to it.”
• Adjective (obsolete): Related by blood; kinship.
• Noun: A spirit or demon thought to act as a supernatural aide or agent, especially one linked to a particular family or person.

Phrases

• “Become familiar with”: To gain knowledge about or become well-acquainted with something over time. Example: “He became familiar with the local customs.”
• “Make oneself familiar with”: To deliberately learn or study something until it is well-known. Example: “I need to make myself familiar with the new software before the presentation.”
• “Familiar ground”: A topic or area that one knows very well due to prior experience. Example: “Discussing art history is familiar ground for her.”

Example Sentences

• Adjective: “He spoke in a tone so familiar that it immediately put her at ease.”
• Adjective: “The smell of baking bread was a familiar comfort in their home.”
• Noun: “In medieval folklore, familiars were often depicted as animals who served as companions to witches.”

Synonyms

• Acquainted
• Knowledgeable
• Experienced
• Recognizable
• Well-known
• Common
• Usual
• Intimate (in the sense of having a close relationship or deep understanding)

Note: The ‘noun’ usage of “familiar” referring to a supernatural entity is quite distinct from its common use as an adjective and may not have direct synonyms in this context.