A2 verb Neutral #537 most common

familiar

/fəˈmɪl.jə.raɪz/

To learn about something or teach someone about a topic so that it becomes well-known and easy to understand. It is most commonly used in the reflexive form 'to familiarize oneself with' something.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I need to familiarize myself with the new city map before we leave.

I need to learn and get to know the new city map before we leave.

2

The manager will familiarize the new staff with the office security procedures.

The manager will explain the office security procedures to the new staff.

3

Give me a second to familiarize myself with how this game works.

Give me a moment to learn the rules of this game.

Word Family

Noun
familiarity
Verb
familiarize
Adverb
familiarly
Adjective
familiar
Related
familiarization
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'family'. When you familiarize yourself with something, you make it as well-known to you as a member of your own family.

Quick Quiz

New students need to ___ themselves with the campus layout.

Correct!

The correct answer is: familiarize

Examples

1

I need to familiarize myself with the new city map before we leave.

everyday

I need to learn and get to know the new city map before we leave.

2

The manager will familiarize the new staff with the office security procedures.

formal

The manager will explain the office security procedures to the new staff.

3

Give me a second to familiarize myself with how this game works.

informal

Give me a moment to learn the rules of this game.

4

Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the library's digital database.

academic

Students should learn how to use the library's digital database.

5

Before the meeting, please familiarize yourself with the latest sales report.

business

Before the meeting, please read and understand the latest sales report.

Word Family

Noun
familiarity
Verb
familiarize
Adverb
familiarly
Adjective
familiar
Related
familiarization

Common Collocations

familiarize yourself with to learn about something yourself
familiarize the staff to teach the employees about something
become familiarized to get to know something well
thoroughly familiarize to learn every detail about something
quickly familiarize to learn about something in a short time

Common Phrases

get to know

to start to be familiar with someone or something

learn the ropes

to learn how to do a specific job or task

get comfortable with

to become familiar and relaxed with a situation

Often Confused With

familiar vs familiar

Familiar is an adjective (e.g., 'The face is familiar'), while familiarize is the verb action of learning.

familiar vs family

While related etymologically, family refers to people you are related to, not the act of learning.

📝

Usage Notes

In most cases, this verb is used with a reflexive pronoun (myself, yourself, himself, etc.) followed by the preposition 'with'. It is more formal than simply saying 'get to know'.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often forget the reflexive pronoun and the preposition 'with'. Do not say 'I familiarized the rules'; say 'I familiarized myself with the rules'.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'family'. When you familiarize yourself with something, you make it as well-known to you as a member of your own family.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'familiaris', meaning 'belonging to a household', combined with the suffix '-ize' meaning 'to make'.

Grammar Patterns

Subject + familiarize + reflexive pronoun + with + object Subject + familiarize + object + with + object Regular verb: familiarized (past), familiarizing (present participle)

Quick Quiz

New students need to ___ themselves with the campus layout.

Correct!

The correct answer is: familiarize

Related Words

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A layer is a single thickness, sheet, or level of a material that covers a surface or is placed between other things. It can refer to physical substances like paint and geological strata, or abstract levels of complexity and meaning.

around

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climate

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immune

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species

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business

B2

Used as an attributive adjective to describe things related to professional commerce, trade, or work activities. It distinguishes professional matters from personal, social, or recreational ones.

contract

C1

A formal and legally binding agreement between two or more parties that establishes mutual obligations. In academic and legal contexts, it refers to the specific terms, conditions, and enforcement mechanisms that govern a transaction or relationship.

bonus

B2

A bonus is an extra amount of money, credit, or benefit added to what is expected or required. It is typically given as a reward for good performance or as an incentive to encourage future effort.

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