literacy

[lit-er-uh-see]

noun

1. the quality or state of being literate, especially the ability to read and write.

2. possession of education.

   to question someone's literacy.

   Synonyms: culture, learning

3. a person's knowledge of a particular subject or field.

   to acquire computer literacy;

   improving your financial literacy.

literacy

/ ˈlɪtərəsɪ /

noun

1. the ability to read and write

2. the ability to use language proficiently

Other Word Forms

• antiliteracy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of literacy¹

First recorded in 1880–85; liter(ate) + -acy

Example Sentences

East Riding of Yorkshire Council said the course was designed to help residents gain a better understanding of their finances and the support available to improve financial literacy.

Read more on BBC

The Leaf Studio Academy in Bournemouth specialises in sport and the performing arts and is also already teaching financial literacy.

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The restructuring is also to align better with district literacy and intervention goals, which will make a larger impact, Mitchell said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Researchers have long noted Americans’ lack of financial literacy, but now more teens are learning about markets and money in school, through investing platforms or from parents who wish they started investing earlier themselves.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Other measures to improve online safety should be used instead, the group argued, pointing to digital literacy programmes, the forced introduction of age-appropriate features for platforms, and age assurance technologies which have greater privacy protections.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• education 
• knowledge 
• learning 
• proficiency