American English
/fəˈmɪl.jɚ/
3 syllables · Stress the second syllable.
Known because you have seen, heard, or experienced it before.
Practice out loudKnown because you have seen, heard, or experienced it before.
That voice sounds familiar.
I saw a familiar face at the meeting.
Here, familiar means “known from experience,” not “related to family.”
a familiar face · a familiar voice · a familiar name
a familiar + noun
Having knowledge or experience of a subject, place, system, or activity.
Are you familiar with this software?
She is familiar with the local bus system.
Say “I am familiar with the software,” not “I am familiar to the software.”
be familiar with a system · be familiar with the process
be familiar with + noun
Too friendly and informal in a way that may not show proper respect.
The waiter became too familiar with the customers.
His familiar tone upset my manager.
become too familiar · a familiar tone
be too familiar with + person
A person you recognize because you have seen them before.
There was a familiar face behind the counter.
Friendly enough to speak in a relaxed, personal way.
She is on familiar terms with her neighbors.