familiarly

English

Etymology

From familiar +‎ -ly.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /fəˈmɪl.jɚ.li/, /fəˈmɪl.i.ɚ.li/

• Audio (General American):

  (file)

Adverb

familiarly (comparative more familiarly, superlative most familiarly)

1. With a lack of formality:
   1. in a casual or informal manner, as with a close acquaintance; especially when such behavior may be considered inappropriate.

      He spoke familiarly to the hotel porter.

      1. (dated) in an inappropriately sexual or romantic manner.
   2. (linguistics) colloquially; of common or vernacular speech, as opposed to scholarly language.

      The giant panda, familiarly known as a "panda bear", is not actually a bear at all.

2. With knowledge or experience:
   1. in a manner prompting recognition or recollection

      The voice from downstairs sounded familiarly like a foghorn, and right away he knew that Uncle Fred had arrived.

   2. in a manner expressing comprehensive or intimate knowledge

      The instructor spoke familiarly about the dangerous conditions on the mountain during the winter.

Translations

in a familiar manner

• Catalan: familiarment (ca)
• Esperanto: familiare (eo)
• Norman: fanmiliéthement
• Old English: hīwcūþlīċe
• Polish: znajomo (pl)
• Spanish: familiarmente (es)
• Walloon: camaerådreçmint (wa) (linguistics)