Conversant

Knowledgeable and comfortably familiar with a subject.

Reach for it when describing enough command to discuss or use a subject without claiming mastery

The conversant guide answered detailed questions about the wetland birds.

• playful

  up to speed

  current practical knowledge suits an informal setting

  not when The idiom emphasizes recency and is unsuitable for scholarly expertise.

• everyday

  familiar

  prior exposure and recognition are established

  not when Familiarity may be shallow and does not promise accurate discussion.

• warm

  at home with

  ease and confidence with the subject deserve emphasis

  not when This informal phrase may overstate comfort gained from limited familiarity.

• professional

  knowledgeable

  substantial information about the subject is evident

  not when Knowledgeable is stronger and need not imply ease in conversation.

• professional

  proficient

  practical skill reaches a reliable level

  not when Proficiency fits doing a task more naturally than discussing a subject.

• formal

  versed

  study or experience has created solid command

  not when Versed usually takes in, while conversant usually takes with.

• unfamiliar
• ignorant
• unversed

• conversant with

  The reviewer was conversant with both standards named in the proposal.

• become conversant

  New trustees should become conversant with the conflict policy.

• fully conversant

  No one was fully conversant with the undocumented legacy process.