Meaning & Definition of word "Familiar"
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Familiar
/fəˈmɪl.jər/
noun:
- 1. A person or animal closely associated with another; a companion or intimate associate.
- Example: The old man kept a familiar by his side to ward off loneliness.
adjective:
- 1. Well-known from long or close association.
- Example: The song was familiar to everyone at the party.
- 2. Having a good knowledge of something; well-informed.
- Example: He is familiar with the laws regarding copyright.
- 3. Friendly and informal; not reserved.
- Example: She spoke to him in a familiar tone, as if they were old friends.
- 4. Commonly known or recognized.
- Example: The familiar landmarks made it easy to navigate the city.
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin 'familiaris' meaning 'of a household, domestic, intimate'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
familiar face:
A person one recognizes.
familiar ground:
A situation or topic one knows well.
familiar spirit:
A spirit or entity that is believed to assist or accompany a person.
Related Words
familiarity:
Close acquaintance with someone or something.
familiarize:
To make (someone) acquainted with something.
familiarization:
The process of making someone familiar with something.
Slang Meanings of familiar
Meaning: A term of endearment for someone close.
Example Sentence: Hey fam, what's up?
Meaning: Calling someone a 'fam' to indicate they are like family.
Example Sentence: He's not just my friend; he's fam.