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verb B2 Upper-Intermediate

familiarize

fuh-MIH-lee-uh-ryz

Familiarize (verb) means to make yourself or someone else knowledgeable about something new. Example: “Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the emergency exits.”

verb
1
To make yourself or someone else knowledgeable about something new.
"Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the emergency exits."
"The manual is meant to familiarize new staff with company policy."

How to use familiarize

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo get used to or learn about something, usually by studying or practising it.

UK vs US

British English often spells it "familiarise"; both spellings mean the same thing.

Common pairings
familiarize yourself with familiarize new employees

Word forms

familiarized past tense, familiarizes singular

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Take a few minutes to _____ yourself with the emergency exits.

Etymology

From familiar + the verb-forming suffix -ize.

Related words

Rhymes for familiarize

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Frequently asked questions

What does “familiarize” mean?

The word “familiarize” means to make yourself or someone else knowledgeable about something new. In plain terms, to get used to or learn about something, usually by studying or practising it.

How do you pronounce “familiarize”?

“Familiarize” is pronounced fuh-MIH-lee-uh-ryz (/fəˈmɪliəɹaɪ̯z/ in IPA).

How do you use “familiarize” in a sentence?

Here is “familiarize” used in a sentence: “Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the emergency exits.”

What part of speech is “familiarize”?

“Familiarize” is a verb.

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