familiarity
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
the state of knowing a subject or a thing well because you have seen or used it many times.
the state of being well-acquainted with or having a good understanding of something through frequent exposure or study.
Simple“His familiarity with the local roads meant he didn't need a map to find the house.”
In context“The candidate's familiarity with international trade law gave her a significant advantage during the final round of interviews.”
UsageOften followed by the preposition 'with'.
SynonymsAntonymsignoranceunfamiliarity - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a friendly and informal relationship with someone you know very well.
the state of being close or intimate with another person, characterized by informal behavior.
Simple“There was a comfortable familiarity between the two old friends as they sat in silence.”
In context“The long-standing familiarity between the two negotiators allowed them to bypass formal protocols and reach an agreement quickly.”
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
behavior that is too informal or friendly in a way that seems rude or disrespectful.
an instance of undue intimacy or inappropriate informality that borders on impertinence.
Simple“The boss didn't like the new employee's familiarity and preferred a more professional tone.”
In context“The clerk's sudden familiarity was taken as a sign of disrespect by the elderly customer, who was used to more formal service.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is often used in the plural ('familiarities') to describe specific actions that were too casual for the situation.
Synonyms
“The researchers also suggest that younger people's greater familiarity with digital technology may make it easier for them to encounter harmful online material.”
“There is benefit in Maresca's hire following Guardiola because it provides a sense of familiarity, particularly in the team's identity and their principles.”
From Middle French familiarité, from Latin familiāritātem. Displaced native Old English hīwcūþnes. Morphologically familiar + -ity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.