Word Explorer

Familiar

/fəˈmɪl.i.ə/

An attendant spirit, often in animal or demon form.

📖 Definitions of "Familiar"

noun

1
An attendant spirit, often in animal or demon form.
"The witch’s familiar was a black cat."
2
A member of one's family or household.
3
A member of a pope's or bishop's household.
4
A close friend.

adjective

1
Known to one, or generally known; commonplace.
"there’s a familiar face; that tune sounds familiar"
2
Acquainted.
"I'm quite familiar with this system; she's not familiar with manual gears"
3
Intimate or friendly.
"we are not on familiar terms; our neighbour is not familiar"
4
Inappropriately intimate or friendly.
"Don’t be familiar with me, boy!"

17 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
intimateverb	Closely acquainted; familiar.
closenoun	(physical) To remove or block an opening, gap or passage through.
commonnoun	Occurring or happening regularly or frequently; usual.
companionnoun	A friend, acquaintance, or partner; someone with whom one spends time or accompanies
fellownoun	(chiefly in the plural, also figuratively) A companion; a comrade.
casualnoun	(of behavior, usage, or milieu) Informal; relaxed.
comradenoun	A mate, companion, or associate.
forwardverb	(not comparable) Situated toward or at the front of something.
conversantnoun	Familiar or acquainted by use or study; well-informed; versed.
informal	Suited for everyday use.
usualnoun	Most commonly occurring; typical.
everydaynoun	Appropriate for ordinary use, rather than for special occasions.
overfamiliar	Overly friendly or intimate.
familiar spiritnoun	a spirit (usually in animal form) that acts as an assistant to a witch or wizard
free-and-easynoun	Alternative form of free and easy. [Casual, informal, relaxed, unrestrained.]
long-familiar	frequently experienced; known closely or intimately
associatenoun	Joined with another or others and having lower status.

Words with the opposite meaning.

Word	Definition
strangenoun	Not normal; odd, unusual, surprising, out of the ordinary, often with a negative connotation.
unusualnoun	Not usual, out of the ordinary.
unfamiliarnoun	Strange, not familiar.

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
acquaintedverb	(often followed by with) Personally known; familiar.
overfamiliar	Overly friendly or intimate.
conversant	Familiar or acquainted by use or study; well-informed; versed.
informed	Instructed; having knowledge of a fact or area of education.
usual	Most commonly occurring; typical.
well known	(predicative) Alternative form of well-known. [Familiar, famous, renowned, noted or widely known.]
well-known	Familiar, famous, renowned, noted or widely known.
everyday	Appropriate for ordinary use, rather than for special occasions.
intimate	Closely acquainted; familiar.
common	Occurring or happening regularly or frequently; usual.
associate	Joined with another or others and having lower status.
companionnoun	A friend, acquaintance, or partner; someone with whom one spends time or accompanies
fellownoun	(chiefly in the plural, also figuratively) A companion; a comrade.
comradenoun	A mate, companion, or associate.
old	Of an object, concept, relationship, etc., having existed for a relatively long period of time.
casual	(of behavior, usage, or milieu) Informal; relaxed.
free-and-easy	Alternative form of free and easy. [Casual, informal, relaxed, unrestrained.]
close	Having little difference or distance in place, position, or abstractly; see also close to.
forward	(not comparable) Situated toward or at the front of something.
beaten	Defeated.