Familiar vs. Familar — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 20, 2024
The correct spelling is "Familiar," which refers to something well-known or easily recognized. "Familar" is an incorrect spelling.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Familiar or Familar
How to spell Familiar?
Familiar
Correct Spelling
Familar
Incorrect Spelling
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Key Differences
The correct spelling has three vowels in the last four letters: i, i, a.
"Familar" looks similar but is not familiar; hence it is incorrect.
Associate "Familiar" with "similar"; both end in "-iar."
Remember the word "family" is within "Familiar," both contain two 'i's and one 'a.'
Think of the phrase "I am familiar" to remember the 'i' and 'a' placement.
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How Do You Spell Familar Correctly?
Incorrect: The word is familar to me.
Correct: The word is familiar to me.
Incorrect: He gave me a familar look.
Correct: He gave me a familiar look.
Incorrect: This place looks very familar.
Correct: This place looks very familiar.
Incorrect: She spoke in a tone that was somehow familar.
Correct: She spoke in a tone that was somehow familiar.
Incorrect: I can't find anything familar here.
Correct: I can't find anything familiar here.
Familiar Definitions
Known through continuous or close association.
She had a familiar face.
Often encountered or seen.
The sight was all too familiar.
Having fair knowledge of something.
He is familiar with the law.
Informal or intimate.
Their relationship was quite familiar.
A spirit often embodied in an animal and held to attend and serve a witch.
The witch's familiar was a black cat.
Well known from long or close association
A familiar voice
Their faces will be familiar to many of you
In close friendship; intimate
She had not realized they were on such familiar terms
A demon supposedly attending and obeying a witch, often said to assume the form of an animal
Her familiars were her two little griffons that nested in her skirts
A close friend or associate.
(in the Roman Catholic Church) a person rendering certain services in a pope's or bishop's household.
Often encountered or seen
A familiar landmark.
Having fair knowledge; acquainted
Are you familiar with these roads?.
Of established friendship; intimate
We are on familiar terms.
Natural and unstudied; informal
Lectured in a familiar style.
Taking undue liberties; presumptuous
Students should not be familiar toward an instructor.
Familial.
Domesticated; tame. Used of animals.
An attendant spirit, often taking animal form.
One who performs domestic service in the household of a high official.
A person who frequents a place.
Known to one, or generally known; commonplace.
There’s a familiar face; that tune sounds familiar.
Acquainted.
I'm quite familiar with this system; she's not familiar with manual gears.
Intimate or friendly.
We are on familiar terms now; our neighbour is not familiar
Don’t be familiar with me, boy!
Of or pertaining to a family; familial.
(witchcraft) An attendant spirit, often in animal or demon form.
The witch’s familiar was a black cat.
(obsolete) A member of one's family or household.
A member of a pope's or bishop's household.
(obsolete) A close friend.
(historical) The officer of the Inquisition who arrested suspected people.
Of or pertaining to a family; domestic.
Closely acquainted or intimate, as a friend or companion; well versed in, as any subject of study; as, familiar with the Scriptures.
Characterized by, or exhibiting, the manner of an intimate friend; not formal; unconstrained; easy; accessible.
Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar.
Well known; well understood; common; frequent; as, a familiar illustration.
That war, or peace, or both at once, may beAs things acquainted and familiar to us.
There is nothing more familiar than this.
Improperly acquainted; wrongly intimate.
An intimate; a companion.
All my familiars watched for my halting.
An attendant demon or evil spirit.
A confidential officer employed in the service of the tribunal, especially in apprehending and imprisoning the accused.
A person attached to the household of a high official (as a pope or bishop) who renders service in return for support
A person who is frequently in the company of another;
Drinking companions
Comrades in arms
A spirit (usually in animal form) that acts as an assistant to a witch or wizard
Well known or easily recognized;
A familiar figure
Familiar songs
Familiar guests
Within normal everyday experience; common and ordinary; not strange;
Familiar ordinary objects found in every home
A familiar everyday scene
A familiar excuse
A day like any other filled with familiar duties and experiences
(usually followed by `with') well informed about or knowing thoroughly;
Conversant with business trends
Familiar with the complex machinery
He was familiar with those roads
Having mutual interests or affections; of established friendship;
On familiar terms
Pretending she is on an intimate footing with those she slanders
Familiar Meaning in a Sentence
Her face is familiar, but I can't remember her name.
That song sounds familiar to me.
Reading my favorite book brings a familiar comfort.
The smell of the ocean is very familiar to me.
His voice is so familiar; I must have heard it before.
I prefer working in familiar surroundings.
I found myself in a familiar part of town.
The way you laugh is familiar to me.
The aroma from the kitchen was a familiar delight.
This situation feels strangely familiar.
The streets of my childhood neighborhood still look familiar.
The layout of this building is familiar.
That old, familiar feeling of excitement returned.
Walking into my grandmother's house always feels familiar.
The pattern of this fabric is very familiar to me.
I always find comfort in the familiar sounds of nature.
Familiar faces in the crowd made me feel at home.
The characters in this book are starting to feel familiar.
He has a familiar way of expressing himself.
The melody of that song is familiar, but I can't name it.
That story you just told sounds eerily familiar.
The teacher's advice was familiar, yet it felt new this time.
My dog has a familiar bark that I can recognize anywhere.
Seeing the mountains in the distance is a familiar sight here.
Familiar Idioms & Phrases
On familiar ground
In a situation or area where one is comfortable and knowledgeable.
Speaking about digital marketing, she was clearly on familiar ground.
Familiar territory
A situation or area well known to someone.
Discussing historical facts is familiar territory for the professor.
Common Curiosities
What is the pronunciation of Familiar?
It is pronounced as /fəˈmɪl.jər/.
What is the root word of Familiar?
The root is derived from the Latin word "familiāris."
Why is it called Familiar?
It's called "Familiar" to denote something well-known or recognized.
What is the verb form of Familiar?
There is no standard verb form of "Familiar."
Which vowel is used before Familiar?
The vowel "A" is often used before "Familiar" in phrases.
What is the singular form of Familiar?
"Familiar" is an adjective and doesn't have a singular form.
Is Familiar a negative or positive word?
It is usually neutral but can be positive or negative based on context.
Which preposition is used with Familiar?
"With" is often used, as in "familiar with."
Is Familiar an adverb?
No, it is not an adverb.
What is the plural form of Familiar?
"Familiar" is an adjective and doesn't have a plural form.
Which conjunction is used with Familiar?
"And" can be used, as in "familiar and easygoing."
Is Familiar an abstract noun?
No, it is an adjective and sometimes a concrete noun.
Is the Familiar term a metaphor?
It can be used metaphorically.
Is Familiar a noun or adjective?
"Familiar" is mainly an adjective, but can be a noun when referring to a spirit.
Which determiner is used with Familiar?
"This," "that," "a," or "the" can be used.
What is the first form of Familiar?
As an adjective, it doesn't have verb forms.
How do we divide Familiar into syllables?
Fa-mil-iar.
What is a stressed syllable in Familiar?
The second syllable, "mil," is stressed.
What is another term for Familiar?
Another term could be "well-known."
What is the opposite of Familiar?
The opposite could be "unfamiliar" or "strange."
Which article is used with Familiar?
"A" or "the" can be used, depending on the context.
How is Familiar used in a sentence?
"The streets were familiar to her after all these years."
Is Familiar a vowel or consonant?
The word contains both vowels and consonants.
Is Familiar a countable noun?
As a noun, it is countable, but it is primarily an adjective.
Is the word Familiar imperative?
No, it is not a verb and thus not imperative.
Is the word Familiar a Gerund?
No, it is not a gerund.
Is the word “Familiar” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
It can be neither as it's primarily an adjective.
What part of speech is Familiar?
It is primarily an adjective.
What is the second form of Familiar?
It doesn't have a second form as it's an adjective.
Is Familiar a collective noun?
No, it is not a collective noun.
How many syllables are in Familiar?
There are 3 syllables.
What is the third form of Familiar?
It doesn't have a third form as it's an adjective.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
