familiarize

verb

fa·​mil·​iar·​ize fə-ˈmil-yə-ˌrīz How to pronounce familiarize (audio)
familiarized; familiarizing

transitive verb

1
: to make known or familiar
Shakespeare … familiarizes the wonderfulSamuel Johnson
2
: to make well acquainted
familiarize students with good literature
familiarization noun

Examples of familiarize in a Sentence

I've been slowly familiarizing myself with the neighborhood. the general's day-to-day duties included familiarizing the president on international developments
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Before beginning the new 10 episodes for Season 3, familiarize yourself with the series' beloved characters. Erin Jensen, USA Today, 6 June 2025 Speaking to Billboard in a new profile, Erivo laughed off the outcry and suggested naysayers better familiarize themselves with Andrew Lloyd Webber's works. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 2 June 2025 This isn’t unusual for rookies who are overloaded by the mental burden of learning a new system while also familiarizing themselves with new personnel and attempting to keep up with the elevated pace of play. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2025 Early wins not only build momentum but also familiarize teams with AI’s capabilities. Matthew Putman, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for familiarize

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of familiarize was in 1593

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Cite this Entry

“Familiarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/familiarize. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

familiarize

verb
fa·​mil·​iar·​ize fə-ˈmil-yə-ˌrīz How to pronounce familiarize (audio)
familiarized; familiarizing
: to make familiar
familiarize yourself with the place
familiarization noun

More from Merriam-Webster on familiarize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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