familiaradjective
uk/fəˈmɪl.i.ər/us/fəˈmɪl.i.jɚ/familiar adjective (EASY TO RECOGNIZE)
B1 easy to recognize because of being seen, met, heard, etc. before:
There were one or two familiar faces (= people I knew).
The house looked strangely familiar, though she knew she'd never been there before.
The street was familiar to me.
be familiar with sth/sb
B2 to know something or someone well:
I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with your poetry.
More examples
- Her name is familiar, but I can't quite call to mind where I've heard it.
- I saw a few familiar faces among the crowd.
- He was a familiar figure on the lecture circuit.
- She looks familiar but I can't place her - did she use to work here?
- When the conversation turns to politics he's on familiar ground.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Plain and ordinary
- as it comes idiom
- austere
- austerity
- be a dime a dozen idiom
- be two/ten a penny idiom
- dime
- homely
- homespun
- homey
- humble
- humdrum
- kitchen-sink
- penny
- severely
- shout
- simple
- sober
- something/nothing to shout about idiom
- spartan
- stale
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Aware
Learning & knowing
familiar adjective (FRIENDLY)
informal and friendly, sometimes in a way that does not show respect to someone who is not a family member or close friend:
He patted her back in an overly familiar way.
He doesn't like to be too familiar with his staff.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Manners & levels of formality
- buttoned-down
- ceremonial
- ceremonious
- ceremony
- decency
- formally
- genteel
- gentility
- grace
- ground rules
- impropriety
- not the done thing idiom
- propriety
- pukka
- refinement
- solemnity
- stand on ceremony idiom
- stiff
- valediction
- valedictory
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familiarly
adverb uk/fəˈmɪl.i.ə.li/us/fəˈmɪl.i.jɚ.li/
Chesney Baker, known familiarly as "Chet"
Idiom(s)
be on familiar terms
familiarnoun [ C ]
uk/fəˈmɪl.i.ər/us/fəˈmɪl.i.jɚ/old usea close friend, or a spirit in the shape of a cat, bird, or other animal that is the close companion of a witch
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Friends, acquaintances & contemporaries
- a friend in need is a friend indeed idiom
- acquaintance
- acquainted
- amigo
- bedmate
- companion
- comrade
- escort
- flatmate
- friendless
- gang
- girl
- girlfriend
- intimate 1
- neighbour
- peer group
- pen pal
- penfriend
- playmate
- posse
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Souls, spirits & ghosts