familiar

Everyday

1. Familiar means well known to you because you have seen or heard it often. tree →
2. If you are familiar with something, you know about it. tree →
3. Familiar can mean friendly and informal, sometimes too friendly. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, a familiar face or voice tells the reader a character recognises someone. In school, «become familiar with the times tables». Safety: even a familiar adult should not ask you to keep secrets that make you uneasy. Phrases: «look familiar», «sound familiar», «familiar with», «a familiar face».

Examples

• Her face looks familiar, but I can't remember her name. tree →
• This song sounds familiar. tree →
• Are you familiar with the rules of netball? tree →
• It was nice to see a familiar face at the new school. tree →
• The streets became familiar after a week. tree →
• The smell of the bakery was warm and familiar. tree →
• Become familiar with your fire exit. tree →
• Sometimes, however, a less familiar incident occurs. tree →

Note

Pattern: «familiar to» someone (known by them), «familiar with» something (knowing it). Opposite: «unfamiliar», «strange». Noun: «familiarity». In a «familiar» witch story, a familiar is a witch's animal helper (rare noun sense). Not a number word.

In Jewish tradition

In "familiar spirit" it means a spirit that a medium claims to call up and keep as a helper. In Job, Proverbs and Psalms, "familiar friend" means a close, trusted friend.

Interpretation. The Torah forbids consulting ghosts and spirits, and tradition counts this as a form of idolatry. The "familiar friend" verses are read as the pain of being betrayed or forgotten by someone close.

Examples

• or a charmer, or one that consulteth a ghost or a familiar spirit, or a necromancer. (Torah DEU.18.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• Turn ye not unto the ghosts, nor unto familiar spirits; seek them not out, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God. (Torah LEV.19.31, JPS 1917) tree →
• A man also or a woman that divineth by a ghost or a familiar spirit, shall surely be put to death; they shall stone them with stones; their blood shall be upon them. (Torah LEV.20.27, JPS 1917) tree →
• My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me. (Writings JOB.19.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• A froward man soweth strife; and a whisperer separateth familiar friends. (Writings PRO.16.28, JPS 1917) tree →
• But it was thou, a man mine equal, my companion, and my familiar friend; (Writings PSA.55.14, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Pattern: «familiar to» someone (known by them), «familiar with» something (knowing it). Opposite: «unfamiliar», «strange». Noun: «familiarity». In a «familiar» witch story, a familiar is a witch's animal helper (rare noun sense). Not a number word.