literacy
The ability to read and write; or, competence or knowledge in a specified area (e.g., digital literacy).
While it traditionally referred strictly to reading and writing, modern usage has expanded to include functional competence in specific fields, like financial or media literacy.
Word relationships
- education: Education is a broad term covering all learning, whereas literacy specifically focuses on the foundational skills of reading, writing, or basic competence.
- proficiency: Proficiency is high skill in any activity, while literacy is the baseline capability to understand and use a system of communication.
- illiteracy: Illiteracy is the complete lack of ability to read and write, or a total lack of knowledge in a specific area.
Commonly confused with
- literature: Literature refers to written works of high artistic value, while literacy is the basic ability to read and write.
Word family
- literate (adjective): Able to read and write, or knowledgeable in a specific field.
- illiterate (adjective): Unable to read or write.
Collocations
- adult literacy
- digital literacy
- literacy rate
Example sentences
- "By offering free reading programs for children, the public library plays a crucial role in promoting community literacy." A statement on the library's mission.
Memory hook
Think of 'letters'. Literacy is the ability to make sense of the letters on the page. Literacy lets you read the letters.
When not to use
Do not use literacy to describe general intelligence; a highly intelligent person can still lack literacy in a specific technical field.
Fun facts
- Before the printing press, global literacy rates were estimated to be under ten percent, as books were too rare and expensive for ordinary people to learn to read.
Explore more words
competency, competence, proficiency, professionalism, proficient, well-rounded
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