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
- car carrier
- carcase
- carcass
- carcass meat
- Carcassonne
- carceral
- car charger
- Carchemish
- carcinoembryonic
- carcinogen
- carcinogenesis
- carcinogenic
- carcinogenicity
- carcinoid
- carcinoid syndrome
- carcinological
- carcinologist
- carcinology
- carcinoma
- carcinoma in situ
- carcinomatosis
- carcinomatous
- carcinosis
- car club
- car coat