literacy

American  

[lit-er-uh-see] / ˈlɪt ər ə si /

noun

1. the quality or state of being literate, especially the ability to read and write.

2. possession of education.

   to question someone's literacy.

   Synonyms:

   culture, learning

3. a person's knowledge of a particular subject or field.

   to acquire computer literacy;

   improving your financial literacy.

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literacy British  

/ ˈlɪtərəsɪ /

noun

1. the ability to read and write

2. the ability to use language proficiently

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Other Word Forms

• antiliteracy adjective

Etymology

Origin of literacy

First recorded in 1880–85; liter(ate) + -acy

Example Sentences

In the last year, Make Great Plays has conducted backpack and supply drives that outfitted more than 100 students and spent classroom time with students to increase computer literacy.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

At the Glasgow event, Sarwar unveiled plans to recruit 2,000 specialist teachers to help children who have fallen behind in literacy and numeracy catch up, as well as an additional 1,500 classroom assistants.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

“This structure supports hands‑on learning and helps teens build confidence, financial literacy and responsible investing habits before adulthood.”

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

As somebody interested in a teaching career, I firmly believe that the literacy problem in this country is, at its core, a threat to social justice.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

All of the other Zanmi Lasante projects in the villages around Cange had been interrupted—its programs for women’s literacy, for vaccinating children, for sanitation and clean water, for distributing condoms and other AIDS-prevention measures.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

Related Words

• education
• knowledge
• learning
• proficiency