familiarity

noun

fa·​mil·​iar·​i·​ty fə-ˌmi-lē-ˈ(y)er-ə-tē 

-ˈ(y)a-rə-;

-ˌmil-ˈyer-, 

-ˌmil-ˈya-rə-

plural familiarities

1

a

: the quality or state of being familiar

b

: a state of close relationship : intimacy

2

a

: absence of ceremony : informality

b

: an unduly informal act or expression : impropriety

c

: a sexual liberty

3

: close acquaintance with something

Synonyms of familiarity

• intimacy
• belonging
• kinship

Examples of familiarity in a Sentence

He spoke to everyone with the easy familiarity of an old friend.

the elderly couple enjoys a familiarity that is the result of many years of happy marriage

Recent Examples on the Web

But there’s always going to be a market for reassuring familiarity — a run-through of someone’s greatest hits to a rhythm of rise, fall, and redemption, touching on the darker stuff only on the way to a triumphant close. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026

The headline stage production, an adaptation of Hercules, showcases impressive performances that stand on their own, regardless of familiarity with the film. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

That early familiarity would later become a defining feature of their professional dynamic. —Nia Bowers, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026

Plus, the familiarity would likely help Barron’s development, too. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for familiarity

• angularity
• bipolarity
• capillarity
• cellularity
• circularity
• granularity
• insincerity
• insularity
• modularity
• osmolarity
• popularity
• regularity

Kids Definition

familiarity

noun

fa·​mil·​iar·​i·​ty fə-ˌmil-ˈyar-ət-ē 

-ˌmil-ē-ˈar-

plural familiarities

1

: close friendship : intimacy

2

: lack of formality : freedom and ease in personal relations

3

: close acquaintance with or knowledge of something

4

: an overly bold act or expression