lettered

American  

[let-erd] / ˈlɛt ərd /

adjective

1. educated or learned.

2. of, relating to, or characterized by learning or literary culture.

3. marked with or as if with letters.

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lettered British  

/ ˈlɛtəd /

adjective

1. well educated in literature, the arts, etc

2. literate

3. of or characterized by learning or culture

4. printed or marked with letters

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Other Word Forms

• well-lettered adjective

Etymology

Origin of lettered

Middle English word dating back to 1275–1325; letter ¹, -ed ³

Explanation

Describing a friend as lettered is a compliment — you're remarking on her educational success and knowledge. People are especially lettered when they've read a lot of books. Though you'd never want to describe yourself as lettered — you'd sound like a show off — it's a great way to describe a scholarly friend. Lettered people are well-educated and well-read, and are often academics, either teaching or researching their areas of interest. The origin of lettered is littera, "letter of the alphabet" or "document," and its plural form, litteræ, which means "literature or books."

Example Sentences

By 1956, hospital births were becoming more common, and midwifery textbooks were recommending that a "wrist name-tape" or "string of lettered china beads" should be attached directly to the newborn.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2025

In high school, she lettered in three sports.

From New York Times • Jan. 31, 2024

He lettered from 1963-65 on Kentucky’s varsity under Charlie Bradshaw after playing on the freshman squad and was a consensus first team All-America as a senior.

From Washington Times • Oct. 30, 2023

At Food Spot, they’re displayed in that style, but with the description lettered above in white, on a blue background.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 4, 2023

I mounted the stairs to a door that was lettered: The Chicago John Reed Club I opened it and stepped into the strangest room I had ever seen.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright