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
2
a
: absence of ceremony : informality
b
: an unduly informal act or expression : impropriety
c
: a sexual liberty
3
: close acquaintance with something
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
Koine Greek—the dialect of the New Testament—was then the lingua franca of the eastern-Mediterranean world, although, of course, familiarity with it ranged from erudite scholarship to learning a few words for the sake of haggling in the marketplace.
—
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
Berti's familiarity with the Yankees could push a potential trade over the finish line in the near future.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 May 2025
The health secretary’s familiarity with vaccine trials stems at least in part from his reviews of decades-old vaccine approvals, including for the polio vaccine and the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.
—Christina Jewett, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Hewing to form, Sovereignty’s work was about gaining familiarity with Churchill, including the architecture of the track, barns, paddock et al., as well as about maintaining the fitness levels to which all these young Thoroughbreds have been brought.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for familiarity
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The New Yorker, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
Berti's familiarity with the Yankees could push a potential trade over the finish line in the near future.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 May 2025
The health secretary’s familiarity with vaccine trials stems at least in part from his reviews of decades-old vaccine approvals, including for the polio vaccine and the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.
—Christina Jewett, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Hewing to form, Sovereignty’s work was about gaining familiarity with Churchill, including the architecture of the track, barns, paddock et al., as well as about maintaining the fitness levels to which all these young Thoroughbreds have been brought.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for familiarity
Cite this Entry
“Familiarity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/familiarity. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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