[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/familiar/)

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# familiar

adjective (familiar, more familiar, most familiar)

«familiar» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Familiar means well known to you because you have seen or heard it often. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/familiar/#m1)
2. If you are familiar with something, you know about it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/familiar/#m2)
3. Familiar can mean friendly and informal, sometimes too friendly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/familiar/#m3)

### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/familiar/#x1)
- This song sounds familiar. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/familiar/#x2)
- Are you familiar with the rules of netball? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/familiar/#x3)
- It was nice to see a familiar face at the new school. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/familiar/#x4)
- The streets became familiar after a week. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/familiar/#x5)
- The smell of the bakery was warm and familiar. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/familiar/#x6)
- Become familiar with your fire exit. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/familiar/#x7)
- Sometimes, however, a less familiar incident occurs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/familiar/#x8)

### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/familiar/#x1)
- 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/familiar/#x2)
- 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/familiar/#x3)
- My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me. (Writings JOB.19.14, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/familiar/#x4)
- A froward man soweth strife; and a whisperer separateth familiar friends. (Writings PRO.16.28, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/familiar/#x5)
- But it was thou, a man mine equal, my companion, and my familiar friend; (Writings PSA.55.14, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/familiar/#x6)

### 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.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «familiar» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/familiar/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«familiar» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/familiar.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «familiar» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/familiar/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«familiar» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/familiar.html) on Mova free.