How to pronounce familiar
Say it like fuh-MIL-yer. Familiar has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MIL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce familiar. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- fuh
- MIL
- yer
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Familiar pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- fuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- MILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- yerKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of familiar
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: fuh-MIL-eer.
What does familiar mean?
- well known or easily recognized“a familiar figure”“familiar songs”
- within normal everyday experience; common and ordinary; not strange“familiar ordinary objects found in every home”“a familiar everyday scene”
- (usually followed by with) well informed about or knowing thoroughly“conversant with business trends”“familiar with the complex machinery”
- a person attached to the household of a high official (as a pope or bishop) who renders service in return for support
- a friend who is frequently in the company of another“drinking companions”“comrades in arms”
- a spirit (usually in animal form) that acts as an assistant to a witch or wizard
Where does familiar come from?
From Middle English familiar, familier, from Latin familiāris (“pertaining to servants; pertaining to the household”).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying familiar
How do you pronounce familiar?
Say fuh-MIL-yer. The American pronunciation is /fəˈmɪljɚ/. In British English it is /fəˈmɪlɪə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in familiar?
Familiar has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MIL). Broken into parts: fuh · MIL · yer.
Is familiar pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /fəˈmɪlɪə/ (fuh-MIL-eer).