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 both descend from the Latin verb conversari, meaning "to associate with." Conversant dates to the Middle Ages; 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 of conversant

• acquainted
• informed
• familiar
• aware

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

The eclectic Canadian instrumental act The Sadies is conversant in surf, garage, roots rock, psychedelia and many other sounds. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 13 June 2026

Since the singer/guitarist for Manchester’s legendary four-piece wasn’t wholly conversant with the game, the group enlisted the services of comedian Keith Allen. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 12 June 2026

China is conversant with the Trump playbook, and the president is likely to return to the United States with a list of trade deals in non-strategic sectors that can be totaled as a big dollar figure and paraded as victories. —Lee Williamson, Fortune, 13 May 2026

Although theater is not a form that Lerner has seemed particularly conversant with in the past, Transcription feels like a step toward drama. —Hannah Gold, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see converse entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for conversant

• dispersant

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Kids Definition

conversant

adjective

con·​ver·​sant kən-ˈvərs-ᵊnt 

: having knowledge or experience : familiar

conversant with the issues