literacy
Americannoun
-
the ability to read and write
-
the ability to use language proficiently
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of literacy
First recorded in 1880–85; liter(ate) + -acy
Explanation
If you can read this sentence and write one of your own, you possess literacy. In Latin, littera means "letter." Back in the day, a person who could read and write was described as lettered. Literacy can also mean having knowledge or ability in a more specific area. Since you bought grandma that laptop, her computer literacy has really improved: she just posted her newest exercise video.
Vocabulary lists containing literacy
Power Suffix: -acy
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This Week in Words: September 8 - 14, 2018
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Using grants from organisations including Children in Need, Jeff helped to create projects focused on literacy, support for parents, employment and youth engagement.
From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026
Marietta Williams, a 42-year-old education consultant and literacy coach for teachers in New Jersey, was recently notified that her annual fee was going up to $895, from $695.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026
The Imagination Playhouse, a live musical staging of children’s books, promotes her literacy initiative and its work gifting hundreds of millions of free books.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
"She always believed in giving back, especially in her efforts to promote literacy," said Democratic former president Bill Clinton.
From Barron's ● Aug. 25, 2026
I remember how happy Teresita and I were when we rode the bus to the literacy campaign and our journey as brigadistas was just beginning.
From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
