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

The company granted Hayes free food for life at any location, though familiarity, to misquote an old adage, breeds boredom. — Tom Roland, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2026

The familiarity of Havaianas is subverted thanks to MM6 with two unique expressions. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026

Jones downplayed the significance of Hamilton's familiarity with Kennesaw State's coaching staff when asked on Tuesday. — Michael Harley, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026

The Sri Lanka–born, San Diego–raised 28-year-old UC Berkeley dropout bends her generation’s activist streak inside out and roasts from a place of familiarity. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 21 Sep. 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