Well skilled; completely versed or acquainted.n. One who has attained proficiency; one fully skilled in anything; a proficient or master; specifically, in former times, a proficient in alchemy or magic; a master of occult science, or one who professed to have discovered “the great secret” (namely, of transmuting base metal into gold).n. Synonyms Adept, Expert. An adept is one who possesses natural as well as acquired aptitude or skill in anything: as, an adept in the art of governing; an adept in diplomacy, lying, cajolery, whist-playing, etc. An expert, on the other hand, is one whose skill and proficiency are more conspicuously the result of practice or experience, or of an intimate acquaintance with a subject. The term is mostly limited to one possessing special skill or knowledge in some branch, and regarded as an authority on it: as, an expert in alienism, chemistry, penmanship, etc.