Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
literate [lit-er-it] SynonymsWord Origin adjective
- able to read and write.
- having or showing knowledge of literature, writing, etc.; literary; well-read.
- characterized by skill, lucidity, polish, or the like: His writing is literate but cold and clinical.
- having knowledge or skill in a specified field: Is she computer literate? The boss needs a computer‐literate assistant.
- having an education; educated.
noun
- a person who can read and write.
- a learned person.
Origin of literate 1400–50; late Middle English Latin līterātus, litterātus learned, scholarly. See letter1, -ate1 Related formslit·er·ate·ly, adverban·ti·lit·er·ate, adjective, nounan·ti·lit·er·ate·ly, adverbun·lit·er·ate, adjectiveSynonyms for literate 3, 5. well-informed, knowledgeable. British Dictionary definitions for literately literate adjective
- able to read and write
- educated; learned
- used to words rather than numbers as a means of expressionCompare numerate
noun
- a literate person
Derived Formsliterately, adverbWord Origin for literate C15: from Latin litterātus learned. See letter Word Origin and History for literately literate adj.
“educated, instructed,” early 15c., from Latin literatus/litteratus “educated, learned,” literally “one who knows the letters,” formed in imitation of Greek grammatikos from Latin littera/litera “letter” (see letter (n.1)).