Definition of CONVERSANT

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The adjectives "conversant" and "conversational" are related; both are descendants of Latin conversari, meaning "to associate with." The earliest English meaning of "conversant" in the 1300s 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."

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

Monroe is conversant in everything from quantum mechanics to evolution to cosmetology, and then can connect it all to the state of uncertainty that art museums across the country are currently facing. — Jackie Mansky, Smithsonian, "The Neuroscientist in the Art Museum," 19 June 2018 The ideal candidate will be deeply conversant with science and technology and can independently research complex technical issues. — Ars Staff, Ars Technica, "Ars Technica is hiring a senior writer," 23 Apr. 2018 But the real diplomatic action, if there is any, is likely to take place between Kim and South Korea’s newish left-wing president who, unlike Trump, is actually conversant on the issues in play. — Matthew Yglesias, Vox, "4 stories that you shouldn’t miss this week, explained," 18 May 2018 The ideal candidate will be deeply conversant with science and technology and can independently research complex technical issues. — Ars Staff, Ars Technica, "Ars Technica is hiring a senior writer," 23 Apr. 2018 The ideal candidate will be deeply conversant with science and technology and can independently research complex technical issues. — Ars Staff, Ars Technica, "Ars Technica is hiring a senior writer," 23 Apr. 2018 That there is a cohort of students in this country who are much more conversant in, versed in, educated about, engaged in the theory of race. — Bridget Read, Vogue, "It’s Been 16 Years Since We First Heard About Mean Girls—Have We Learned Anything?," 23 Apr. 2018 The ideal candidate will be deeply conversant with science and technology and can independently research complex technical issues. — Ars Staff, Ars Technica, "Ars Technica is hiring a senior writer," 23 Apr. 2018 Price’s supple voice proved conversant with everything from blues to soul. — Greg Kot, chicagotribune.com, "Margo Price turns country inside out at Thalia Hall," 13 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'conversant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.