English · Culture & Society
literacy
/ˈlɪt.ər.ə.si/
[/ˈlɪt.ər.ə.si/]
ability to read and write
Intermediatenoun
Definition
The ability to read and write, and more broadly competence in a particular area. Rising literacy is a common measure of social progress.
Example
Volunteers run evening classes to improve adult literacy in the rural village.
Volunteers run evening classes to improve adult literacy in the rural village.
Etymology
From Latin 'litteratus' (lettered, learned), from 'littera' (letter).
How & Where It’s Used
Used in education, development, and increasingly for skills like 'digital literacy'.