familiarity

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noun fa·mil·iar·i·ty \ fə-ˌmi-lē-ˈ(y)er-ə-tē , -ˈ(y)a-rə- ; -ˌmil-ˈyer- , -ˌmil-ˈya-rə- \

Definition of familiarity

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

See familiarity defined for English-language learners

See familiarity defined for kids

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 of familiarity from the Web

Steele's familiarity with triple option attacks from his experience facing Georgia Tech while at Clemson should help.

— james crepea, AL.com, "Georgia Southern triple option will 'present challenges' for Auburn," 25 Aug. 2017
So everything that comes with that — the family, a move, the familiarity with your surroundings.

— rustin dodd, kansascity, "How a small adjustment helped Royals starter Jason Hammel find himself," 14 Aug. 2017
McPhillips, of Plainfield, cites her familiarity with the clerk's office, and her budget and management skills, having worked for 27 years in other capacities in county government and assisting on election nights.

— susan demar lafferty, Daily Southtown, "Three plan to seek Will County clerk's seat," 9 Aug. 2017
Ding and Gao’s familiarity with Macau would have been useful to North Korean hackers, says Steve Vickers, a former head of the Hong Kong Police Force’s Criminal Intelligence Bureau who now runs an eponymous risk consulting company.

— Bloomberg.com, "A Baccarat Binge Helped Launder the World’s Biggest Cyberheist," 3 Aug. 2017
A second season at the eight-man level brings some familiarity for the Flintridge Prep football team, at least with the squad’s upcoming 2017 schedule.

— andrew j. campa, Glendale News-Press, "Schedule feels familiar for Flintridge Prep football," 3 Aug. 2017
Over the decades, Calder’s reputation has suffered from over-familiarity.

— The Economist, "Alexander Calder made time a sculptural medium," 22 July 2017
Outbreaks of Western fear and paranoia about all Muslims will never be cured by lectures about tolerance, nor by familiarity with well-meaning Muslim neighbors.

— dan mclaughlin, National Review, "Anti-Radical Muslims Need to Organize and Draw Lines," 20 July 2017
Yet somehow those imperfections have engendered, if not a fondness, then at least a familiarity with my own features in a way long hair never could.

— claire landsbaum, The Cut, "What to Expect When You Buzz Off All Your Hair," 17 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'familiarity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of familiarity

13th century

familiarity Synonyms

Synonyms

belonging, chumminess, closeness, inseparability, intimacy, nearness

Antonyms

distance

Related Words

immediacy; affinity, kinship; commitment, devotedness, devotion; affection, attachment, fondness, love, passion; constancy, faithfulness, fidelity; amity, fellowship, friendship, goodwill; affability, conviviality, cordiality, geniality; mutuality; cliquishness, clubbiness

Near Antonyms

aloofness, coldness, coolness, remoteness, reserve

FAMILIARITY Defined for English Language Learners

familiarity

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noun

Definition of familiarity for English Language Learners

: the state of being familiar with something : the state of having knowledge about something
: a friendly and informal way of acting or talking

FAMILIARITY Defined for Kids

familiarity

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noun fa·mil·iar·i·ty \ fə-ˌmil-ˈyer-ə-tē , -ˌmil-ē-ˈer- \

Definition of familiarity for Students

plural familiarities

1 :close friendship :intimacy

2 :good knowledge of something

His familiarity with the trail was a big advantage to us.

3 :informality

Learn More about familiarity

See words that rhyme with familiarity Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for familiarity Spanish Central: Translation of familiarity Nglish: Translation of familiarity for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of familiarity for Arabic speakers

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familiarity

Definition of familiarity

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Examples of familiarity in a Sentence

Recent Examples of familiarity from the Web

First Known Use of familiarity

familiarity Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

FAMILIARITY Defined for English Language Learners

familiarity

Definition of familiarity for English Language Learners

FAMILIARITY Defined for Kids

familiarity

Definition of familiarity for Students

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