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literacythe ability to read and write

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: the ability to read and write

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈlɪtərəsi/

Example Sentences

  • My grandmother finally learned to read at 70 through a literacy program - now she sends text messages faster than I do!
  • The country's literacy rate has increased dramatically over the past decade.
  • His computer literacy is so poor that he still thinks 'cloud storage' means keeping files outside when it's cloudy.

literacy

NOUN

[/ˈlɪtərəsi/]

the ability to read and write

In the village classroom, children proudly read their first sentences aloud, gaining literacy.
💡 Concept

In the village classroom, children proudly read their first sentences aloud, gaining literacy.

Literacy guards against deception in both piracy and democracy!
🎵 Rhyme

Literacy guards against deception in both piracy and democracy!

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈlɪtərəsi/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈlɪtərəsi/

🌳Etymology

Rootliter
Suffix--acy

Origin

Derived from Latin 'literatus', meaning 'lettered' or 'learned in letters'. The term evolved during the Middle Ages in monastic communities to denote the ability to read and write, eventually becoming a measure of general education and knowledge.

Breakdown

litera- (Latin 'litera', meaning letter or written character) + -cy (suffix denoting state, condition, or quality), forming a noun that expresses the quality or state of being literate.

🎵Rhyme

piracyconspiracydemocracy
piracy
conspiracy
democracy

🔗Collocations

literacy rate
digital literacy
financial literacy
improve literacy
literacy skills
adult literacy
literacy program

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My grandmother finally learned to read at 70 through a literacy program - now she sends text messages faster than I do!

The country's literacy rate has increased dramatically over the past decade.

😄 Fun example

His computer literacy is so poor that he still thinks 'cloud storage' means keeping files outside when it's cloudy.

Media literacy helps people distinguish between reliable news sources and fake information.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

reading abilitywriting skillscompetenceproficiency

Antonyms

illiteracyignorance

Related

literatureliterateilliterateeducationknowledge

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