conversant
Americanadjective
-
familiar by use or study (usually followed bywith ).
conversant with Spanish history.
- Synonyms:
- proficient, well-informed, practiced, skilled, learned, versed
-
Archaic. having regular or frequent conversation; intimately associating; acquainted.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of conversant
1250–1300; Middle English conversa ( u ) nt < Latin conversant- (stem of conversāns ), present participle of conversārī to associate with. See converse 1, -ant
Explanation
If you know a lot about computer programming, then you could describe yourself as conversant with the latest updates in coding languages. This means you have current working knowledge of the topic. The word conversant can be traced back to the Latin word conversari, meaning to “keep company with.” If you’re conversant with something, then you’re familiar with it — as if you have been keeping company with it. The word is often paired with the prepositions with, as in "being conversant with the Detroit area, or in, as in "if you speak French, you’re conversant in French."
Vocabulary lists containing conversant
Walden
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The Federalist Papers, No. 70 by Alexander Hamilton
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The Shining
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Conversant invests across the real-estate, digital infrastructure and hospitality sectors.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026
Nokia has divided its portfolio and transferred parts of it to Acacia Research and Conversant Intellectual Property Management: Both companies find ways to make money from the patents, and then share the proceeds with Nokia.
From New York Times • Dec. 23, 2016
Sinha said Alliance Data found both the capabilities and an inexpensive stock in Conversant.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 11, 2014
Many developers are ready to help when they learn there is a problem, said Chris Maury, whose Conversant Labs builds apps for the visually impaired.
From Reuters • Jul. 9, 2014
Conversant with all duties and possessed of universal knowledge, that son of Bhagirathi will remove all the doubts in thy heart on the difficult subject of duties.
From The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 Books 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 by Ganguli, Kisari Mohan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
