literacy

noun

lit·​er·​a·​cy ˈli-t(ə-)rə-sē 

: the quality or state of being literate

a program to promote adult literacy

Synonyms

• education
• erudition
• knowledge
• learnedness
• learning
• scholarship

Examples of literacy in a Sentence

The program is intended to promote adult literacy among people who have had very little schooling.

Their goal is to achieve basic literacy.

Recent Examples on the Web

In response, Meta has invested millions in its election fact-checking and media literacy initiatives and prohibits ads that discourage users from voting, question the election’s legitimacy or feature premature victory claims. —Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024

True Tamplin covers topics in finance and business, with a focus on financial literacy, personal finance, and entrepreneurship. —True Tamplin, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, said previous attempts to levy tariffs over the past few decades have not produced the return many expect. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024

The center plans to offer a federal artificial intelligence leadership program to help further educate government workers on how to evaluate potential use cases for AI and increase AI literacy. —Cheyenne Devon, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing literacy

• visual literacy

Kids Definition

literacy

noun

lit·​er·​a·​cy ˈlit-ə-rə-sē 

ˈli-trə-sē

: the quality or state of being literate

computer literacy

especially : ability to read and write