B1adjective1K

Familiar

UK /["/fəˈmɪliə(r)/"]/US /["/fəˈmɪliər/"]/

Definition

well known to you; often seen or heard and therefore easy to recognize

In simple words: Well-known or recognized.

Examples

  • My grandmother's cooking is very familiar to me because I grew up eating her dishes.
  • After living in the city for a few years, I have become familiar with all the local attractions.
  • He had a familiar face, but I couldn't recall where I had seen him before.
  • The song was familiar, and I found myself humming along to it.
  • She spoke in a familiar tone, which made me feel comfortable during the conversation.

Usage notes

Use 'familiar' in both formal and informal contexts. It's appropriate when talking about something you know well. Avoid using it for professional situations where you need to exhibit more formality.

Grammar pattern

familiar + to + someone

Memory hint

Think of a family photo - you're familiar with all those faces!

Collocations

  • be
  • feel
  • look
  • extremely
  • fairly
  • very
  • to
  • be
  • seem
  • become
  • extremely
  • fairly
  • very

Synonyms

  • acquainted
  • recognized
  • well-known
  • customary
  • habitual

Antonyms

  • unfamiliar
  • unknown

Common mistakes

  • Confusing 'familiar' with 'family' due to similar spelling.
  • Using 'familiar' without the appropriate preposition (to) after it.
  • Using 'familiarly' in the wrong context.