Other forms: literacies
Literacy is the ability to read and write. Adult literacy, literacy rates, improve literacy.
Global literacy has risen from perhaps one adult in eight two centuries ago to more than eight in ten, which is one of the largest changes in human history and one of the least remarked on. Functional literacy — being able to read well enough for daily life — is the measure that matters and is lower than the headline figure. Note financial literacy, digital literacy, and media literacy, all built on the metaphor.
1nounliteracyThe ability to read and write.
“The charity runs evening classes to improve adult literacy.”
2nouncompetenceCompetence in a particular field.
“Schools should teach financial literacy, like how to budget and avoid debt.”
literacy is an ability to read.
Literate plus -acy, from Latin littera, a letter. Literature, literal and letter come from the same root, and literacy is a surprisingly recent word — late nineteenth century.
From liter(ate) + -acy.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA
Practised in School & Learning, Libraries & Museums