Familliar vs. Familiar: The Correct Spellings

To remember the correct spelling, “familiar,” note the single ‘l’ and consider relating the word to “family,” which also contains only one ‘l.’ This association can serve as a mnemonic to avoid the common mistake of doubling the ‘l’ as in the incorrect “familliar.”

Familliar is the incorrect form of the word, with the correct spelling being familiar. The difference between the two lies in the incorrect addition of an ‘l’ in the word familliar. “Familiar” is correctly spelled with only one ‘l.’ The term is used to describe something that is well known or recognized through close acquaintance or study.

The word “familiar” has its roots in Middle English, derived from the Old French word “familier,” related to the Latin word “familiaris,” meaning domestic, private, or of a household. Its origins connect to the notion of familiarity stemming from close or frequent encounters, typically within the household or personal space.

“Familiar” can take different forms such as “familiarly,” an adverb, and “familiarity,” a noun, to express the degree to which something is known or recognized. However, using “familliar” in any form is incorrect and should be avoided in all communication contexts.

Incorrect: The song sounded familliar to everyone in the room.

Correct: The song sounded familiar to everyone in the room.

Incorrect: The smell is very familliar to me.

Correct: The smell is very familiar to me.

Incorrect: I'm not familliar with the rules of the game.

Correct: I'm not familiar with the rules of the game.

Incorrect: He looked someway familliar, but I couldn't place him.

Correct: He looked somewhat familiar, but I couldn't place him.

Incorrect: She has a familliar face, but I don't know her name.

Correct: She has a familiar face, but I don't know her name.

Familiar is often used to describe something well-known or easily recognized.

In the context of behavior, familiar implies being too friendly or disregarding the bounds of social propriety.

Familiar can also imply a close acquaintance or knowledge of something.

When referring to a person, familiar denotes having a friendly relationship.

Familiar also serves to describe supernatural entities believed to assist witches in the form of small animals.

Often encountered or seen

Having fair knowledge; acquainted

Of established friendship; intimate

Natural and unstudied; informal

Taking undue liberties; presumptuous

Familial.

Domesticated; tame. Used of animals.

A close friend or associate.

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.

Acquainted.

Intimate or friendly.

Of or pertaining to a family; familial.

(witchcraft) An attendant spirit, often in animal or demon form.

(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.

Well known; well understood; common; frequent; as, a familiar illustration.

Improperly acquainted; wrongly intimate.

An intimate; a companion.

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;

a spirit (usually in animal form) that acts as an assistant to a witch or wizard

well known or easily recognized;

within normal everyday experience; common and ordinary; not strange;

(usually followed by `with') well informed about or knowing thoroughly;

having mutual interests or affections; of established friendship;

I'm familiar with the author, but I haven't read this book.

Her voice sounded familiar over the phone.

This street looks familiar; I think we've been here before.

The concept of gravity is familiar to most students by now.

The teacher's advice was familiar, yet it felt new this time.

I felt a familiar sense of excitement as the plane took off.

The landscape became increasingly familiar as we approached home.

That joke is familiar; my grandfather used to tell it.

Are you familiar with the way to the museum from here?

She found the surroundings familiar, even comforting.

He became familiar with the software after a few days of training.

The actor's face was familiar, but I couldn't remember his name.

I'm familiar with the feeling of anticipation before a performance.

Familiar faces in the crowd made the event more enjoyable.

He has a familiar way of greeting everyone warmly.

Familiar routines can be comforting in times of change.

This plant is familiar to many, but its name escapes me.

The town had a familiar charm that reminded her of her childhood.

This type of problem is familiar to anyone who has ever owned a car.

The smell of fresh bread is a familiar and welcoming scent.

The settings on this camera are familiar to anyone who's used a DSLR.

The melody of the song was immediately familiar to me.

The storyline of the movie felt oddly familiar.

He has a habit of making everyone around him feel familiar and at ease.

Becoming familiar with a new language can take time.

A situation or subject that one knows well.

Feeling lost or disoriented because nothing is recognizable.

To acquire knowledge or experience of something.

Seeing someone you recognize in a group of people.

To learn about something thoroughly.

Something that sounds or feels like something one has heard or experienced before.

To have a close and informal relationship with someone.

In a situation or environment where one has knowledge or experience.

Known very well, often unpleasantly so.

To deal with or talk about topics or areas well known to oneself.

To do something different from what is usual.

To cause someone to remember something; to resonate with someone's own experiences.

A frequently repeated statement or complaint.

The reassuring and comfortable feeling from something well-known.

A situation or series of events that happens often and is therefore recognized.

The strong attraction or inclination towards something one knows well.

Something one sees often and is used to.

Going back to something well known or comfortable.

Yes, using the incorrect form familliar can cause misunderstandings and is deemed unprofessional in formal communication.

One can remember the correct spelling of familiar by associating it with the word “family,” which also contains a single ‘l.’

Yes, in certain contexts, if someone is described as being too familiar, it can imply inappropriate or overly friendly behavior.

The word familiar originated from Middle English, derived from the Old French word “familier,” related to the Latin word “familiaris,” indicating something domestic, private, or of a household.

Yes, familiar can take different forms such as “familiarly,” an adverb, and “familiarity,” a noun.

The correct spelling is familiar; familliar is incorrect and should not be used in any form of communication.

Absolutely, using the correct spelling, familiar, is crucial in maintaining professionalism and clarity in formal contexts.

No, familiar can be used to denote well-known things, friendly relationships, and even supernatural entities, depending on the context.

Yes, in historical and folklore contexts, a familiar often refers to a supernatural entity or spirit, usually in animal form, believed to assist witches.

Yes, the word familiar is related to the concept of family, as it originates from Latin “familiaris,” meaning domestic, private, or of a household, and can serve as a mnemonic aid for its correct spelling.