familiarize

verb

fa·​mil·​iar·​ize fə-ˈmil-yə-ˌrīz 

familiarized; familiarizing

transitive verb

1

: to make known or familiar

… Shakespeare … familiarizes the wonderful …

—Samuel Johnson

2

: to make well acquainted

familiarize students with good literature

familiarization

fə-ˌmil-yə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Synonyms of familiarize

• inform
• advise
• tell
• instruct

Examples of familiarize in a Sentence

I've been slowly familiarizing myself with the neighborhood.

the general's day-to-day duties included familiarizing the president on international developments

Recent Examples on the Web

Adaptability and resilience Being adaptable and resilient are also key today, Chait said, since new tools are cropping up seemingly every day, and employees are expected to quickly familiarize themselves with them. — Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026

Take a moment to familiarize yourself — and your family — with this important information. — Lillian Bonsignore, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026

His contract experience helped familiarize him with the proclivities of the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026

While waiting for the prisoners to emerge out of the federal courthouse elevators, attorneys were seen searching online to quickly familiarize themselves with the case, which has already led to four convictions in May. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for familiarize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

Kids Definition

familiarize

verb

fa·​mil·​iar·​ize fə-ˈmil-yə-ˌrīz 

familiarized; familiarizing

: to make familiar

familiarize yourself with the place

familiarization

-ˌmil-yə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

noun