familiar

1 adjective

1 EASY TO RECOGNIZE someone or something that is familiar is easy to recognize because you have seen or heard them many times before: a familiar tune | vaguely familiar (=a little familiar): Her face seems vaguely familiar, but I can't quite place her. | look/sound familiar (to sb): The voice on the phone sounded familiar to me.

2 be familiar with to know something well because you have seen it, read it, or used it many times before: Are you familiar with this type of machine?

3 PLACE/SITUATION a familiar place, situation etc is one that you know well: It was a relief to be back in familiar surroundings.

4 COMMON a familiar sight, problem, story etc is one that you see or hear about too often because it is part of a common social problem : all-too-familiar: Beggars on the streets are becoming an all-too-familiar sight.

5 be on familiar terms with to know someone well and be able to talk to them in an informal way: He's on familiar terms with all the teachers.

6 TOO FRIENDLY talking to someone as if you know them well although you do not

(+ with): I thought he was being a bit familiar with my wife.

7 INFORMAL STYLE informal and friendly in speech, writing, etc: The novel is written in an easy, familiar style.

—see also: familiarly 2 noun (C)

1 a cat or other animal that lives with a witch and has magical powers

2 familiars old use close friends or companions