literacy
/ˈlɪt(ə)rəsi
/noun [mass noun]
1The ability to read and write: tests of literacy and numeracy [as modifier]: adult literacy programmes...
- Innovative programmes successfully encouraged adults to develop their literacy and numeracy skills.
- One in five adults has poor literacy skills and it is many of these who cannot find employment.
- Its treasures must be plundered and used to fund literacy programmes and childcare.
Synonyms
ability to read and write, reading/writing ability, reading/writing proficiency;
learning, book learning, education, scholarship, schooling;
letters
1.1Competence or knowledge in a specified area: computer literacy is essential...
- This is the challenge of actually tapping the talent and cultural literacy in our diverse population.
- It's not computer literacy these lost kids need, but cultural literacy.
- Inadequate health literacy was identified in 16 participants.
Origin
Late 19th century: from literate, on the pattern of illiteracy.
Rhymes
- meadow cabbage
- meadow clover
- meadowed
- meadow fern
- meadow fescue
- meadow foam
- meadow foxtail
- meadow frog
- meadow grass
- meadow green
- meadow ground
- meadow hay
- meadow hen
- meadowing
- meadowland
- Meadowlands
- meadowlark
- meadowless
- meadow lily
- meadow oatgrass
- meadow orchid
- meadow oxeye
- meadow parsnip
- meadow pasture
- meadow pea