literate

[lit-er-it]

adjective

able to read and write.

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

characterized by skill, lucidity, polish, or the like: His writing is literate but cold and clinical.

having knowledge or skill in a specified field: Is she computer literate? The boss needs a computer‐literate assistant.

having an education; educated.

noun

a person who can read and write.

a learned person.

Origin of literate

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin līterātus, litterātus learned, scholarly. See letter¹, -ate¹

Related formslit·er·ate·ly, adverban·ti·lit·er·ate, adjective, nounan·ti·lit·er·ate·ly, adverbun·lit·er·ate, adjective

Synonyms for literate

3, 5. well-informed, knowledgeable.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for literately

literate

adjective

able to read and write

educated; learned

used to words rather than numbers as a means of expressionCompare numerate

noun

a literate person

Derived Formsliterately, adverb

Word Origin for literate

C15: from Latin litterātus learned. See letter

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for literately

literate

adj.

"educated, instructed," early 15c., from Latin literatus/litteratus "educated, learned," literally "one who knows the letters," formed in imitation of Greek grammatikos from Latin littera/litera "letter" (see letter (n.1)).