Literacy

Definition

The ability to read and write.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈlɪtərəsi/
• Respelling: LIT-er-uh-see (with "LIT" as in "sit," "er" as in "her," "uh" as in "sofa," and "see" as in "see")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈlɪtərəsi/
• Respelling: LIT-uh-ruh-see (with "LIT" as in "sit," "uh" as in "sofa," "ruh" as in "sofa," and "see" as in "see")

In both dialects, "literacy" places the primary stress on the first syllable, "LIT." The American pronunciation includes a clear "er" sound, while the British pronunciation has a softer "uh" sound.

Etymology

From the Latin "litteratus", meaning "educated, learned", which derives from "littera" meaning "letter". Over time, it came to specifically denote the skill associated with letters, i.e., reading and writing.

Derivatives

• Literal
• Literature
• Literate
• Literalize
• Literariness

Synonyms

• Reading and writing proficiency
• Letteredness
• Alphabetic competence

Antonyms

• Illiteracy
• Unletteredness
• Innumeracy

Usage

Literacy is a fundamental skill required for personal and societal development. It is essential for accessing information, participating in education, and engaging in most aspects of modern life.

Related Terms

• Education: The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university.
• Numeracy: The ability to understand and work with numbers.
• Functional Literacy: The level of reading and writing skills sufficient to manage daily living and employment tasks.

Detailed Definition

Noun

• Literacy (Noun): The ability to read and write.
  • Example: "Promoting literacy is a key goal of educational programs worldwide."

• Literacy (Noun): Competence or knowledge in a specified area.
  • Example: "Financial literacy is crucial for managing personal finances effectively."