Literacy: Definition, Usage & Key Examples

Meaning 1：reading and writing ability (literacy)

literacy 🔊

/ˈlɪtərəsi/

The ability to read and write in a language.

Literacy concept illustration: a person reading a book and taking notes at a desk

reading and writing ability 🔊

➕

/ˈriːdɪŋ ənd ˈraɪtɪŋ əˈbɪləti/

The fundamental skill of understanding written language and producing it.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：初级

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'littera' (letter) + '-acy' (state or quality). Means the state of knowing letters.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of it as being 'letter-see' – if you can see and understand letters, you have literacy.

📖 Example

The foundation launched a campaign to improve adult literacy rates in rural communities. 🔊 The organization started an effort to enhance the reading and writing skills of grown-ups in countryside areas.

🔗 Collocations

basic literacy – fundamental ability to read and write

digital literacy – skills needed to use digital technology effectively

literacy skills – abilities related to reading and writing

🔄 Synonyms

reading ability (n.) – the skill of understanding written text

writing ability (n.) – the skill of producing written text

literateness (n.) – the state of being educated in reading and writing

🚫 Antonyms

illiteracy (n.) – the inability to read or write

🌱 Derivatives

literate (adj.) – able to read and write; knowledgeable

illiterate (adj.) – unable to read or write

literacy rate (n.) – the percentage of people in a population who can read and write

📖 Cultural Story

Derives from Latin 'litteratus' meaning 'educated, learned', via medieval Latin 'litterātia'. Its modern usage expanded from basic reading/writing to include 'digital literacy' and 'health literacy', reflecting societal priorities.