As an adjective:
* Knowing something or someone well: "I felt a sense of familiarity when I returned to my hometown."
* Common or frequent: "The familiar sights and sounds of the city greeted me as I arrived."
* Closely acquainted: "I am familiar with the company's products and services."
* Having a close relationship: "The couple shared a familiar intimacy that only comes with years together."
As a verb:
* To make something known: "The guide familiarized us with the museum's history."
* To become accustomed to something: "I quickly familiarized myself with the new software."
In phrases:
* Familiar with: "I am familiar with the rules of the game."
* Familiar face: "He was a familiar face at the local coffee shop."
* Familiar territory: "This topic is familiar territory for me."
Here are some examples in context:
* "I felt a strange sense of familiarity in this unfamiliar place." (Contrasting familiarity with unfamiliarity)
* "The familiar scent of freshly baked bread filled the air." (Describing a common and pleasant smell)
* "She familiarized herself with the city map before setting out." (Describing the act of becoming acquainted with something)
* "We shared a familiar joke and laughed together." (Describing a close relationship and shared experience)
As you can see, "familiar" can be used in various contexts, and its meaning can vary depending on the situation.