Main Entry: ¹lit·er·ate

Pronunciation: \ˈli-tə-rət also ˈli-trət\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English literat, from Latin litteratus marked with letters, literate, from litterae letters, literature, from plural of littera

Date: 15th century

1 a : educated, cultured b : able to read and write
2 a : versed in literature or creative writing : literary b : lucid, polished <a literate essay> c : having knowledge or competence <computer-literate> <politically literate>

— lit·er·ate·ly adverb

— lit·er·ate·ness noun