conversant

adjective

con·​ver·​sant kən-ˈvər-sᵊnt 

 also  ˈkän-vər-sənt

1

: having knowledge or experience

—used with with

conversant with modern history

is conversant with the operating system of the computer

2

archaic : having frequent or familiar association

3

archaic : concerned, occupied

Did you know?

The adjectives conversant and conversational are related; both are descendants of Latin conversari, meaning "to associate with." Conversant dates to the Middle Ages, and an early meaning of the word was simply "having familiar association." One way to associate with others is to have a conversation with them—in other words, to talk. For a short time in the 19th century conversant could mean "relating to or suggesting conversation," but for the most part that meaning stayed with conversational while conversant went in a different direction. Today, conversant is sometimes used, especially in the United States, with the meaning "able to talk in a foreign language," as in "she is conversant in several languages," but it is more often associated with knowledge or familiarity, as in "conversant with the issues."

Synonyms

• abreast
• acquainted
• au courant
• familiar
• informed
• knowledgeable
• up
• up-to-date
• versed
• well-informed

Examples of conversant in a Sentence

She's conversant in several languages.

a world traveler who is highly conversant with the customs of foreign cultures

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition, because virtually every global challenge—from trade to climate—has a tech aspect, all US diplomats need to be conversant in the topic. —Eric Geller, WIRED, 2 July 2024

Now an identity of ideas depends materially upon a sameness of things or objects with which the people of the two countries are conversant. —Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 19 Apr. 2024

Community-facing folks need to respond to questions on the fly and be conversant on major priorities, as well as understand the boundaries of their roles and how to handle unexpected questions or situations. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

But how about this: According to Lindsay Jones of The Ringer, the Chiefs not only were aware of the new rules but had discussed them as early as training camp, and by this point were fully conversant with their options. —Mirjam Swanson, Orange County Register, 12 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see converse entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

conversant

adjective

con·​ver·​sant kən-ˈvərs-ᵊnt 

: having knowledge or experience : familiar

conversant with the issues