Definitions for familiarfəˈmɪl yər

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

fa•mil•iar^*fəˈmɪl yər(adj.)

commonly or generally known or seen:
a familiar sight.
well-acquainted:
to be familiar with a subject.
informal:
to write in a familiar style.
closely personal:
to be on familiar terms.
unduly intimate:
The duchess complained of familiar servants.
domesticated; tame.
of or pertaining to a family or household.
(n.)a familiar friend or associate.
a supernatural spirit or demon supposed to attend a person or another demon, often in the form of an animal.
Category: Mythology
a domestic employed by a bishop, seminary, etc.
Category: Religion

^* Syn: familiar , confidential , intimate suggest a friendly relationship between persons, based on frequent association, common interests, etc. familiar suggests an easygoing and unconstrained relationship between persons who are well-acquainted: on familiar terms with one's neighbors. confidential implies a sense of mutual trust that extends to the sharing of confidences and secrets: a confidential adviser. intimate connotes a very close and warm relationship characterized by empathy and sharing of private thoughts: intimate letters to a friend.

Origin of familiar:

1300–50; ME famulier < MF < L familiāris of a household (see family , -ar1)

fa•mil′iar•ness(n.)

Princeton's WordNet

familiar(noun)
a person attached to the household of a high official (as a pope or bishop) who renders service in return for support
companion, comrade, fellow, familiar, associate(noun)
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
"drinking companions"; "comrades in arms"
familiar, familiar spirit(adj)
a spirit (usually in animal form) that acts as an assistant to a witch or wizard
familiar(adj)
well known or easily recognized
"a familiar figure"; "familiar songs"; "familiar guests"
familiar(adj)
within normal everyday experience; common and ordinary; not strange
"familiar ordinary objects found in every home"; "a familiar everyday scene"; "a familiar excuse"; "a day like any other filled with familiar duties and experiences"
conversant(p), familiar(p)(adj)
(usually followed by `with') well informed about or knowing thoroughly
"conversant with business trends"; "familiar with the complex machinery"; "he was familiar with those roads"
familiar, intimate(adj)
having mutual interests or affections; of established friendship
"on familiar terms"; "pretending she is on an intimate footing with those she slanders"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

familiar(adjective)əˈmɪl yər
≠ unfamiliar
a familiar tune; The name isn't familiar to me.; I looked around the room for a familiar face.
familiarəˈmɪl yər
knowing about sth
Are you familiar with his music?
familiarəˈmɪl yər
behaving as if you know sb well when you do not
He was too familiar with one of his students.

Wiktionary

familiar(Noun)
A member of one's family or household.
familiar(Noun)
A close friend.
familiar(Noun)
An attendant spirit often in animal form.
The witchu2019s familiar was a black cat.
familiar(Adjective)
Known to one.
Thereu2019s a familiar face.
familiar(Adjective)
Acquainted.
I'm not familiar with this system.
familiar(Adjective)
Intimate or friendly.
We are not on familiar terms.
familiar(Adjective)
Inappropriately intimate or friendly.
Donu2019t be familiar with me, boy!
familiar(Adjective)
Of or pertaining to a family; familial.

Webster Dictionary

Familiar(adj)
of or pertaining to a family; domestic
Familiar(adj)
closely acquainted or intimate, as a friend or companion; well versed in, as any subject of study; as, familiar with the Scriptures
Familiar(adj)
characterized by, or exhibiting, the manner of an intimate friend; not formal; unconstrained; easy; accessible
Familiar(adj)
well known; well understood; common; frequent; as, a familiar illustration
Familiar(adj)
improperly acquainted; wrongly intimate
Familiar(noun)
an intimate; a companion
Familiar(noun)
an attendant demon or evil spirit
Familiar(noun)
a confidential officer employed in the service of the tribunal, especially in apprehending and imprisoning the accused