literate
Americanadjective
-
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.
- Synonyms:
- knowledgeable, well-informed
-
having knowledge or skill in a specified field.
Is she computer literate? The boss needs a computer‑literate assistant.
-
having an education; educated.
- Synonyms:
- knowledgeable, well-informed
noun
-
a person who can read and write.
-
a learned person.
adjective
-
able to read and write
-
educated; learned
-
used to words rather than numbers as a means of expression Compare numerate
noun
Other Word Forms
- antiliterate adjective
- antiliterately adverb
- literately adverb
- unliterate adjective
Etymology
Origin of literate
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin līterātus, litterātus learned, scholarly. See letter 1, -ate 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mr. Greenberg, who won a Tony for “Take Me Out,” was among the smartest and most literate playwrights of his generation, certainly wise enough to understand the sturdy strength of Barry’s structure and plotting.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026
Mr. Butler-Gallie, a parish priest in the Cotswolds in England and the author of “A Field Guide to the English Clergy,” is literate and entertaining.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025
"I am a blue badge holder and I have to pay because I am not computer literate," he says, arguing that "you have to jump through hoops to get this discount".
From BBC • Aug. 23, 2025
"He realised more people were getting literate, which was then good for publicity," Dave said.
From BBC • Apr. 11, 2025
Still, writers will do themselves a favor, and increase the amount of pleasure in the world, if they use a word in the senses that are accepted by literate readers.
From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
