versed
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of versed
1600–10; < Latin versātus busied, engaged ( see versatile), with -ed 2 for Latin -ātus
Explanation
To be versed in something is to know it well and have experience with it. If you’re well versed in Middle English literature, you know that Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales in 1475. Go you. Versed comes from the Latin word versari which means basically “to busy oneself, to be engaged.” If you’re versed (sounds like “verst”) in a subject, you’ve busied yourself with it and now you know it well. A history professor is versed in history. Someone with a massive comic book collection is probably versed in superheroes. Sometimes people say a person is well versed instead of versed, but either way, that person knows what they’re talking about.
Vocabulary lists containing versed
Words to Describe Yourself on a Resume
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Life of Pi
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Are You Experienced? Synonyms for "Expert"
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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.
Katrina Horstead, director of Versed Financial, suggested first-time buyers:
From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026
The real issue here seems to be the conditions at work that caused her to grab vecuronium instead of Versed in the first place.
From Slate • Apr. 26, 2022
While Murphey appeared to be recovering, and was being prepared for discharge, Vaught was tasked to retrieve a sedative called Versed from a computerized medication cabinet called an AccuDose machine, according to court documents.
From Salon • Mar. 31, 2022
Vaught could not find Versed in an automatic drug dispensing cabinet because it was listed under the generic name midazolam.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 22, 2022
The finer arts have charm'd my studious hours, Versed in their mysteries, skilful in their powers; In verse and prose my equal genius glow'd, Pursuing glory by no single road!
From Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 1 by Disraeli, Isaac
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.
