Conversant vs Proficient - What's the difference?
conversant | proficient |
closely familiar; current; having frequent interaction
familiar or acquainted by use or study; well-informed; versed
* Dryden
* Alexander Pope
(obsolete) Concerned; occupied.
* Wotton
Good at; skilled; fluent; practiced, especially in relation to a task or skill.
* 1912 : (Edgar Rice Burroughs), (Tarzan of the Apes), Chapter 5
As adjectives the difference between conversant and proficient
is that conversant is closely familiar; current; having frequent interaction while proficient is good at; skilled; fluent; practiced, especially in relation to a task or skill.As nouns the difference between conversant and proficient
is that conversant is one who converses with another while proficient is an expert.conversant
English
Alternative forms
* conversaunt (obsolete)Adjective
(en adjective)- She is equally conversant with Shakespeare and the laws of physics.
- deeply conversant in the Platonic philosophy
- He uses the different dialects as one who had been conversant with them all.
- If any think education, because it is conversant about children, to be but a private and domestick duty, he has been ignorantly bred himself.
Usage notes
* generally used with with, sometimes with inproficient
English
Adjective
(en adjective)- He was a proficient writer with an interest in human nature.
- By constant playing and experimenting with these he learned to tie rude knots, and make sliding nooses; and with these he and the younger apes amused themselves. What Tarzan did they tried to do also, but he alone originated and became proficient .