au fait

[ oh fe ]

adjective

, French.

1. having experience or practical knowledge of a thing; expert; versed.

au fait

/ o fɛ; əʊ ˈfeɪ /

adjective

1. fully informed; in touch or expert

Word History and Origins

Origin of au fait¹

Literally, “to the fact”

Word History and Origins

Origin of au fait¹

C18: literally: to the point

Example Sentences

"They're the kind of key points you try and pick up naturally, and the kinds of skills I've tried to pass on to my colleagues, who are less au fait with contact tracing."

From BBC

"People are saying it's about learning on the job, these student nurses are not au fait with things. It's ridiculous. They are going to see horrific sights."

From BBC

Beardsley was equally au fait, regularly taking the boat train to Paris.

From The Guardian

I can hand on heart say I’m not au fait with that tradition.

From The Guardian

If you are not au fait, then pimple popping is the trend for filming, up close and personal, the act of popping, squeezing or otherwise removing blackheads, cysts and other dermatological dementors.

From The Guardian