literate

[ lit-er-it ]

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

noun

1. a person who can read and write.
2. a learned person.

literate

/ 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

noun

1. a literate person

Derived Forms

• ˈliterately, adverb

Other Words From

• liter·ate·ly adverb
• anti·liter·ate adjective noun
• anti·liter·ate·ly adverb
• un·liter·ate adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of literate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of literate¹

C15: from Latin litterātus learned. See letter

Example Sentences

If I had an ambition to be a literate songwriter, he’d be the man whose feet I would sit at.

From Los Angeles Times

And the “memoir” we’re invited to observe is a wounding one, rife with heartbreak and trauma — but also, as it turns out, raunchy humor and slapstick pratfalls, literate puns and winking sight gags.

From Los Angeles Times

Her case highlights the challenge that universities face as they encourage students to become AI literate, whilst discouraging cheating.

From BBC

"It's slightly ironic, these people are definitely not Christian, yet they are copying a Christian image - the moot point is if they understood the imagery - and they blundered the lettering, so they're certainly not literate."

From BBC

Many in Asheville are scientifically literate enough to be aware that climate change, driven by burning fossil fuels, can cause extreme weather events like hurricanes to become both more common and more severe.

From Salon

Related Words

• cultured
• educated
• knowledgeable