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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.

Watching junior right-hander Fabian Bravo of Sun Valley Poly High pitch for the first time, there was something strangely familiar about his windup.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

Routines are made up of familiar stunts, jumps, gymnastic tumbles and classic cheer chants, but modified to account for the needs of teammates.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

The shifting promises are unsurprising to colleagues familiar with the brash, quick-tempered Gorka, a gate crasher in Washington’s buttoned-up defense establishment.

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2026

The White House decision to delay the trip by Vance and envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner followed a flurry of meetings inside the White House on Tuesday, people familiar with the matter said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

They were as familiar to me as my own reflection, and the normalcy of the sight went a long way toward calming me down.

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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