FAMILIAR Meaning and
Definition
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Familiar is an adjective primarily used to describe something or someone that is known, recognized, or frequently seen. It refers to a state of being acquainted or familiarized with a particular object, concept, person, or place. In this sense, familiar encompasses the idea of knowledge or understanding gained through repeated exposure or acquaintance.
Additionally, familiar can pertain to a sense of close friendship, intimacy, or a personal connection. It signifies a level of comfort and closeness that arises from a longstanding or deep-rooted relationship. This can be applied to both people and animals, as one might refer to their pet as their familiar.
Moreover, familiar can describe something that is easily identifiable or readily recognizable due to its frequent occurrence or popularity. This understanding stems from the notion of the familiar being easily known or understood due to its prevalence.
In certain contexts, familiar can also possess a sense of being unremarkable, mundane, or plain. It suggests a lack of novelty or surprise, often conveying a sense of predictability or tiresomeness. However, this usage is less common compared to the other aforementioned meanings.
Overall, the term familiar entails notions of recognition, knowledge, intimacy, comfort, and predictability. Its multifaceted nature enables its usage across various domains to describe both concrete and abstract concepts.
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• Well acquainted with; intimate; affable; easy and unconstrained; common; frequent.
• One long acquainted; a spirit or demon supposed to wait on; an officer or servant of the Inquisition employed to arrest and imprison the accused.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for FAMILIAR *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for FAMILIAR
Etymology of FAMILIAR
The word "familiar" has its roots in the Latin term "familiaris", which derives from the noun "famulus", meaning "servant" or "household slave". In ancient Rome, "familiaris" referred to someone who was part of the household and had a close relationship with the family. Over time, the word "familiar" evolved to encompass notions of close acquaintance, friendship, and intimacy, ultimately taking on its present-day meaning.
Idioms with the word FAMILIAR
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be on familiar terms
The idiom "be on familiar terms" refers to having a friendly or casual relationship with someone. It means being comfortable and at ease with another person, often involving a level of acquaintance or closeness that goes beyond formalities.
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familiar ring
The idiom "familiar ring" refers to something that sounds or feels familiar, as if it resembles or reminds someone of something they have heard or experienced before. It implies a sense of déjà vu or recognition.
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have a familiar ring
The idiom "have a familiar ring" means that something sounds or seems familiar, as if you have heard or experienced it before. It suggests a sense of recognition or resemblance to something known or previously encountered.
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have a familiar ring (to it)
The idiom "have a familiar ring (to it)" means that something sounds or seems familiar, similar to something previously heard or experienced. It suggests a sense of recognition or resonance with a particular idea, phrase, or situation.
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in a familiar way
The idiom "in a familiar way" refers to the behavior or actions that indicate a close or intimate relationship with someone. It implies a level of comfort, informality, and ease in the interaction, often suggesting a shared history or bond.
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have a familiar ˈring (about/to it)
Similar spelling words for FAMILIAR
- Familiarly,
- less-familiar,
- fimilar,
- Families,
- un-familiar,
- familiar-looking,
- Famular,
- FMLREU,
- now-familiar,
- family room,
- Familiarity,
- all-too-familiar,
- over-familiar,
- Familiarize,
- long-familiar,
- familar,
- Family,
- famularo,
- Familiar,
- Familiary,
- familiarise,
- fmaller,
- too-familiar,
- FMLER.
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