literacy

American  

[lit-er-uh-see] / ˈlɪt ər ə si /

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.

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literacy British  

/ ˈlɪtərəsɪ /

noun

1. the ability to read and write

2. the ability to use language proficiently

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Other Word Forms

• antiliteracy adjective

Etymology

Origin of literacy

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

Example Sentences

“Unread,” his brisk, conversational memoir, recounts the loops and switchbacks on his path to literacy, conveyed through discussions of more than a dozen books that shaped his quest.

From The Wall Street Journal

Teens need adults who are willing to set clear boundaries, enforce consequences, teach digital literacy and model disciplined use of technology themselves.

From The Wall Street Journal

His long-term goal is to clarify how giant viruses and eukaryotes evolved and to create educational materials that improve virus literacy.

From Science Daily

But with few grown-ups available to model emotional literacy, the kids had no choice but to attempt it themselves.

From BBC

Some of the state’s status quo education interest groups resisted the 2013 legislation that created the state’s literacy reforms.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• education
• knowledge
• learning
• proficiency