Overfamiliar

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Excessively casual or informal in manner, especially in a way that shows insufficient respect or propriety
2. Characterized by an inappropriate level of casualness that suggests a lack of respect for personal boundaries
3. Marked by a level of casualness that goes beyond what is socially acceptable and shows a disregard for proper boundaries

Etymology: "Overfamiliar" is a plain compound: the prefix "over-" joined to "familiar." The prefix descends from Old English "ofer," a word that carried the sense of "above" or "beyond" and was used in the same way across Germanic languages, where it ultimately traces back to a very old root meaning "over" or "up." In English, "over-" has long been attached to adjectives to mean "too much" or "beyond the proper degree," as in "overcooked" or "overeager." The second element, "familiar," came into English from Latin "familiaris," meaning "of the household" or "belonging to the family," from "familia." Its earlier senses were close to intimacy: a familiar was once a close associate, and to be familiar with someone meant to be on intimate terms with them. The combination with "over-" follows naturally from that sense. When a relationship becomes too intimate for the situation, the speaker has gone beyond the bounds of proper distance.

Synonyms: too familiar, intimate, impertinent, presumptuous, disrespectful

Antonyms: distant, formal, reserved, aloof, polite