FAMILIAR Synonyms: 310 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

familiar 1 of 2

adjective

fə-ˈmil-yər

Definition of familiar next

as in close

closely acquainted the little inside jokes that people who have long been familiar like to share

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in acquainted

having information especially as a result of study or experience book editors who are familiar with what is being taught in the schools

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ubiquitous

often observed or encountered the woman and her pair of Welsh corgis were a familiar sight in the quiet neighborhood

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in arrogant

showing a lack of proper social reserve or modesty rather too familiar for a first-time guest in our home, the woman kept asking how much we paid for this or for that

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

familiar

2 of 2

noun

fə-ˈmil-yər

as in fan

someone who regularly spends time in a particular place a longtime familiar of the bar, she would most likely have been there on the night in question

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in friend

a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another with old familiars the normally reserved writer can be quite warm and funny

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Nodding toward this Odyssean journey, Wang’s novel presents a familiar tale of war and homecoming, rife with correspondence, death, and pangs of yearning for a beloved back home. —

The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025 The loss, a beatdown that mirrored their crushing defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV, highlighted familiar issues: a porous offensive line, costly mistakes, and missed opportunities. —

Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025

Noun

Most recently, the actor played Count Dracula in this year's Renfield opposite Nicholas Hoult's titular familiar. —

Clark Collis, EW.com, 17 May 2023 Beyond the internet hype machine, the product variety hits unsuspecting retail shoppers across financial buckets, design conscious online patrons and a host of famous familiars. —

Jacqueline Schneider, Forbes, 5 May 2023 See all Example Sentences for familiar

Recent Examples of Synonyms for familiar

Adjective

They were later photographed briefly locking lips at the event, fueling speculation about their curiously close relationship. 7.

— Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2025
Gavin Newsom California's governor is close behind, or tied, with Buttigieg in the recent polling.

— Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025