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
Apple says Acacia and Conversant have filed 52 cases against it around the world, many of which assert violations of Nokia patents.
From New York Times • Dec. 23, 2016
Conversant, which changed its name early this year from ValueClick, will join forces with Alliance Data Systems Corp. in Dallas to help business customers distribute advertising online and measure how effective the ads are.
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 "the art o' the Court," and the dangerous mood of Majesty, she saw already a dark cloud in perspective.
From William Shakespeare as he lived. An Historical Tale by Curling, Henry
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.
