literate

American  

[lit-er-it] / ˈlɪt ər ɪt /

adjective

1. able to read and write.

2. having or showing knowledge of literature, writing, etc.; literary; well-read.

3. characterized by skill, lucidity, polish, or the like.

   His writing is literate but cold and clinical.

   Synonyms:

   knowledgeable, well-informed

4. having knowledge or skill in a specified field.

   Is she computer literate? The boss needs a computer‑literate assistant.

5. having an education; educated.

   Synonyms:

   knowledgeable, well-informed

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noun

1. a person who can read and write.

2. a learned person.

literate British  

/ ˈlɪtərɪt /

adjective

1. able to read and write

2. educated; learned

3. used to words rather than numbers as a means of expression Compare numerate

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noun

1. a literate person

Other Word Forms

• antiliterate adjective
• antiliterately adverb
• literately adverb
• unliterate adjective

Etymology

Origin of literate

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin līterātus, litterātus learned, scholarly. See letter ¹, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

“My overarching goal is to just be a good influence on younger people and have it built in a way where there’s educational content and help people become more financially literate.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Mr. Butler-Gallie, a parish priest in the Cotswolds in England and the author of “A Field Guide to the English Clergy,” is literate and entertaining.

From The Wall Street Journal

They also reported practices restricting online bookings to mornings and said that less digitally literate people find the system hard to navigate.

From BBC

There are many notable exceptions, but on the whole, society has become less literate, less mathematical and less able to think and reason critically.

From The Wall Street Journal

"I am a blue badge holder and I have to pay because I am not computer literate," he says, arguing that "you have to jump through hoops to get this discount".

From BBC

Related Words

• cultured
• educated
• knowledgeable