fa•mil•iar^*fəˈmɪl yər(adj.)

1. commonly or generally known or seen:

   a familiar sight.

2. well-acquainted:

   to be familiar with a subject.

3. informal:

   to write in a familiar style.

4. closely personal:

   to be on familiar terms.

5. unduly intimate:

   The duchess complained of familiar servants.

6. domesticated; tame.

7. of or pertaining to a family or household.

8. (n.)a familiar friend or associate.

9. a supernatural spirit or demon supposed to attend a person or another demon, often in the form of an animal.

   Category: Mythology

10. 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.)