literacy
Literacy refers to the ability to read and write, which is considered a fundamental foundation for learning and communication. In a broader sense, it also describes having competence or knowledge in a specific subject area, such as technology or finance.
Examples
3 of 5Basic literacy is essential for reading recipes or following directions on medicine bottles.
The ability to read is needed for everyday instructions.
The NGO is working to improve adult literacy in rural areas where schools are scarce.
The organization is helping adults learn to read and write in the countryside.
My grandma has amazing emotional literacy; she always knows exactly how you're feeling.
My grandmother is very good at understanding emotions.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Remember the 'LIT' in 'letters'. Literacy means you are 'lit' with the knowledge of letters!
Quick Quiz
The rise of the internet has made digital _____ an essential skill for the modern workforce.
Correct!
The correct answer is: a
Examples
Basic literacy is essential for reading recipes or following directions on medicine bottles.
everydayThe ability to read is needed for everyday instructions.
The NGO is working to improve adult literacy in rural areas where schools are scarce.
formalThe organization is helping adults learn to read and write in the countryside.
My grandma has amazing emotional literacy; she always knows exactly how you're feeling.
informalMy grandmother is very good at understanding emotions.
Standardized tests are often used to measure the literacy levels of primary school students.
academicExams check how well young students can read and write.
We are providing training to increase the digital literacy of our senior management team.
businessWe are teaching our managers how to use modern technology.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
information literacy
the ability to recognize when information is needed and to locate and use it effectively
cultural literacy
the ability to understand and participate fluently in a given culture
health literacy
the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain and process basic health information
Often Confused With
Literature refers to written works like novels or poems, whereas literacy is the ability to read and write.
Literal means the exact or primary meaning of a word, while literacy relates to reading skills.
Usage Notes
Literacy is an uncountable noun. While it traditionally meant reading and writing, it is now frequently combined with nouns (e.g., computer literacy) to indicate expertise in a field.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse the noun 'literacy' with the adjective 'literary' (related to books) or use 'literacy' as an adjective instead of 'literate'.
Memory Tip
Remember the 'LIT' in 'letters'. Literacy means you are 'lit' with the knowledge of letters!
Word Origin
From the Latin 'litteratus', meaning 'educated' or 'learned in letters'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
High literacy rates are globally recognized as a key indicator of a country's economic and social development.
Quick Quiz
The rise of the internet has made digital _____ an essential skill for the modern workforce.
Correct!
The correct answer is: a
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
unknown
A1A person or thing that is not known, recognized, or familiar. It often refers to a mysterious situation or a person who has not yet achieved fame or success.
of
A1A preposition used to show a relationship between a part and a whole, or to indicate belonging and origin. It connects a noun or pronoun to another part of the sentence to specify which one or what kind.
in
A1A preposition used to indicate position within a container, a space, an area, or a period of time. It describes being surrounded by something or being inside the boundaries of a location.
it
A1A third-person singular pronoun used to refer to an object, animal, or situation that has already been mentioned or is clear from context. It is also frequently used as a dummy subject to talk about time, weather, or distance.
on
A1A preposition used to indicate that something is in a position above and supported by a surface. It is also used to indicate a specific day or date, or to show that a device is functioning.
as
A1A conjunction used to compare two things that are equal in some way. It is most commonly used in the pattern 'as + adjective/adverb + as' to show similarity.
this
A1Used to identify a specific person, thing, or idea that is physically close to the speaker or has just been mentioned. It can also refer to the present time or a situation that is currently happening.
by
A1A preposition used to show the method or means of doing something, or to identify the person or thing that performs an action. It frequently appears in passive sentences to indicate the agent or before modes of transport.
we
A1The word 'we' is a first-person plural pronoun used to refer to the speaker and one or more other people collectively. It is used as the subject of a sentence or clause.
or
A1A coordinating conjunction used to connect two or more possibilities or alternatives. it indicates that only one of the options is likely, required, or true.
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