Word
familiarity
Phoneticsfa·mil·iar·i·ty, stress on the third syllable
US/fəˌmɪɫˈjɛɹəti/
UK/fəmˌɪlɪˈæɹɪti/
Definitions
01knowledge of something
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the state of knowing a subject or a thing well because you have seen or used it many times.
n. the state of being well-acquainted with or having a good understanding of something through frequent exposure or study.
“His familiarity with the local roads meant he didn't need a map to find the house.”
“The candidate's familiarity with international trade law gave her a significant advantage during the final round of interviews.”
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'with'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02closeness with a person
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a friendly and informal relationship with someone you know very well.
n. the state of being close or intimate with another person, characterized by informal behavior.
“There was a comfortable familiarity between the two old friends as they sat in silence.”
“The long-standing familiarity between the two negotiators allowed them to bypass formal protocols and reach an agreement quickly.”
Synonyms
03disrespectful informality
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. behavior that is too informal or friendly in a way that seems rude or disrespectful.
n. an instance of undue intimacy or inappropriate informality that borders on impertinence.
“The boss didn't like the new employee's familiarity and preferred a more professional tone.”
“The clerk's sudden familiarity was taken as a sign of disrespect by the elderly customer, who was used to more formal service.”
Teaching tip
This sense is often used in the plural ('familiarities') to describe specific actions that were too casual for the situation.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“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.” Etymology
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.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/familiarity