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Definitions

familiar

[fuh-mil-yer] / fəˈmɪl yər /
ADJECTIVE
common, well-known
Synonyms
STRONGEST
intimate mundane recognizable simple usual
STRONG
commonplace domestic homespun household native natural ordinary plain routine stock
WEAK
accustomed conventional customary everyday frequent garden variety habitual humble informal known matter-of-fact old hat prosaic proverbial repeated unceremonious unsophisticated wonted workaday
Antonyms
STRONG
abnormal alien business different extraordinary foreign industrial original uncommon unusual
WEAK
aloof cold cool distant ignorant new reserved strange unacquainted unapproachable undistinguished unfamiliar unfriendly unknowledgeable unknown unremarkable
ADJECTIVE
knowledgeable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acquainted aware conversant
STRONG
savvy versant
WEAK
abreast apprised at home with au courant au fait cognizant conscious grounded in on in the know informed introduced kept posted mindful no stranger to plugged in tuned-in up up on versed in well up in with it
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ignorant
WEAK
aloof cold cool distant foreign new reserved strange unacquainted unapproachable uncommon undistinguished unfamiliar unfriendly unknowledgeable unknown unremarkable
ADJECTIVE
friendly, bold
Synonyms
STRONGEST
comfortable easy intimate
STRONG
close cordial cozy dear forward free open palsy smart snug sociable thick wise
WEAK
affable amicable buddy-buddy chummy confidential free-and-easy fresh genial gracious impudent informal intrusive near neighborly nervy obtrusive officious palsy-walsy presuming presumptuous relaxed sassy tight unceremonious unconstrained unreserved
Antonyms
STRONGEST
unhappy
STRONG
cool loose stupid uncomfortable unfriendly unintelligent unsociable
WEAK
aloof cold distant foreign ignorant new reserved strange unacquainted unapproachable uncommon undistinguished unfamiliar unknowledgeable unknown unremarkable

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ternus ordered the update after determining that the design wouldn’t need a major change, people familiar with the move said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

The U.S. delegation is set to travel to Islamabad for the talks “soon,” a person familiar with the matter told Barron’s.

From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026

Carruthers’ case is a perfect storm of capital punishment’s familiar failures: paid informants, information withheld from the jury, untested physical evidence, and the defendant’s mental illness.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

Manchester City are in that ominously familiar position of coming from behind to wrestle control away from those in front of them, with Arsenal and Arteta feeling hot breath on their shoulders.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

My first instinct was to grab Elliot and run, but there was something about that camera that felt weirdly familiar, so I paused.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Vocabulary lists containing familiar

List 10

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Workshop 4, Part 1

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Vocabulary from poems about communication

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