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Definition of familiarnext
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familiar

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective familiar contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of familiar are common, ordinary, plain, popular, and vulgar. While all these words mean "generally met with and not in any way special, strange, or unusual," familiar stresses the fact of being generally known and easily recognized.

a familiar melody

When would common be a good substitute for familiar?

The words common and familiar can be used in similar contexts, but common implies usual everyday quality or frequency of occurrence and may additionally suggest inferiority or coarseness.

a common error
lacked common honesty
common manners

Where would ordinary be a reasonable alternative to familiar?

The words ordinary and familiar are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ordinary stresses conformance in quality or kind with the regular order of things.

an ordinary pleasant summer day
a very ordinary sort of man

When could plain be used to replace familiar?

While the synonyms plain and familiar are close in meaning, plain is likely to suggest homely simplicity.

plain hard-working people

When is popular a more appropriate choice than familiar?

In some situations, the words popular and familiar are roughly equivalent. However, popular applies to what is accepted by or prevalent among people in general sometimes in contrast to upper classes or special groups.

a writer of popular romances

How do vulgar and popular relate to one another, in the sense of familiar?

Vulgar, otherwise similar to popular, is likely to carry derogatory connotations (as of inferiority or coarseness).

souvenirs designed to appeal to the vulgar taste

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of familiar
Adjective
At the heart of World Central Kitchen's work is feeding people with food that feels familiar. Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Marc Jacobs presented its spring 2027 show at the New York Public Library on Monday, a familiar venue for the brand, with a slew of notable guests in attendance to witness the designer’s colorful lineup of looks. Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 30 June 2026
Noun
Cats make wonderful friends and, for the witchy folks among us, maybe even familiars. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025 The cast also includes franchise familiars Courteney Cox, Scott Foley, Mason Gooding, and Jasmin Savoy Brown. Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for familiar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for familiar
Adjective
  • Even though talks with the Boston Red Sox at last year’s deadline never got close, the confusion provided by an incorrect tweet announcing Ryan’s trade to New England put the pitcher at the top of every trade list before the season even began.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026
  • Ashley Smith is the manager of player engagement for the NFL, and the siblings are close.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026
Adjective
  • Hoffman’s mother, when Scheiber later speaks to her, is well acquainted with this flavor of incredulity.
    Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
  • Our niece became acquainted with a man through a website.
    Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
Adjective
  • When World Cup season descends upon soccer-mad Brazil, green and yellow banners decorate restaurants, bars and apartment buildings, streets are painted with flags and soccer balls, and discussions of the beloved national team's games are ubiquitous.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
  • Already this year, the elusive-yet-ubiquitous producer is credited on Earl Sweatshirt and MIKE’s POMPEII // UTILITY, a song with Compton’s $amaad, and an ambient instrumental tape.
    Oba Awolowo, Pitchfork, 3 July 2026
Adjective
  • West Germany, arrogant attitude adjusted, pounded Chile, 4-1.
    David j. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026
  • Lasso, in his initial introduction to audiences, wasn’t the warm, pun-loving, inspirational coach audiences would eventually embrace through Apple +, but a slightly arrogant buffoon parodying the average American sports fan.
    Charles Moss, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Noun
  • Courtside fans Swift and Kelce were most recently spotted sitting court-side at game three of the Eastern Conference Finals played between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks in May 2026.
    Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • The first-year pro soccer club dropped a 2-1 home game to One Knoxville, watching the Tennessee side and reigning league champ rally to steal all three points in front of 7,223 fans at Expo Idaho.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • Take a friend and have that person take a cell phone so that person can call 911 for help.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026
  • In that episode, lone wolf Gibbs got a new special friend, an adorable dog.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • For a more intimate atmosphere and a bit more space, Potato Head Suites, just across the courtyard, is a better pick.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2026
  • Sittenfeld deftly situates the problems of patriarchy and class politics within an intimate, decades-long love story—and what is more American than that potent mix?
    Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • Jensen and researchers at the London Business School, found skilled or informed traders drove the majority of the accuracy on Polymarket.
    Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 2 July 2026
  • With more options than ever, employees often need additional guidance to make informed decisions.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Familiar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/familiar. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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