literacy

noun

lit·​er·​a·​cy ˈli-t(ə-)rə-sē 

: the quality or state of being literate

a program to promote adult literacy

Synonyms of literacy

• education
• knowledge
• learning
• scholarship

Examples of literacy in a Sentence

The program is intended to promote adult literacy among people who have had very little schooling.

Their goal is to achieve basic literacy.

Recent Examples on the Web

About 87% of Indiana third-graders passed the IREAD literacy exam last year. —Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026

During Ocean Week, each grade level explores a different marine habitat, building ocean literacy across ponds, the seashore, sandy beaches, wetlands, kelp forest and the open ocean. —Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026

Connecticut’s new financial literacy requirement is a promising start. —Charlyn Tanner, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026

Since then the foundation has worked across education and literacy, health, energy and climate and other areas. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing literacy

• digital literacy
• visual literacy

Rhymes for literacy

• illiteracy

Kids Definition

literacy

noun

lit·​er·​a·​cy ˈlit-ə-rə-sē 

ˈli-trə-sē

: the quality or state of being literate

computer literacy

especially : ability to read and write