# literate

/ˈɫɪtɝət/ (US) · /lˈɪtəɹət/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/literate
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. able to read and write

adjective · CEFR B2

able to read and write in at least one language.

For teachers: possessing the ability to read and write. The term is often used in statistical or developmental contexts regarding populations.

- The government launched a new program to ensure every child is literate by age ten.
- In the early twentieth century, the percentage of the population that was fully literate remained significantly lower in rural districts compared to urban centers.

### 2. knowledgeable in a subject

adjective · CEFR B2

having knowledge or skills in a specific area, like computers or science.

For teachers: demonstrating competence or knowledge in a specific area of expertise. Often used in compound forms like 'computer-literate'.

- In today's job market, it is essential to be digitally literate.
- The modern workforce must be financially literate to navigate the complexities of private pension schemes and investment options.

### 3. well-read

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

having read many books and knowing a lot about literature.

For teachers: possessing a high degree of culture or learning, especially regarding literature and the arts.

- He was a highly literate man who could quote poetry from memory.
- Her prose is remarkably literate, filled with subtle allusions to classical mythology and nineteenth-century philosophy.

### 4. a person who can read

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a person who has the ability to read and write.

For teachers: a person who is able to read and write. Often used in the plural when discussing demographic groups.

- The census showed a sharp increase in the number of literates in the region.
- The transition from a society of oral tradition to one of literates fundamentally altered how legal contracts were enforced.

### 5. educated without a degree

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

a person in the past who was educated but did not have a university degree.

For teachers: a person who was educated but had not taken a university degree, particularly in the context of candidates for holy orders.

- In the 19th century, a literate could still be ordained in some dioceses.
- The bishop was known for his willingness to ordain literates, provided they demonstrated sufficient theological understanding despite their lack of a formal degree.

## Examples

- Most children become fully literate by the age of seven.
- In today's job market, being computer literate is just as important as having traditional academic qualifications.
- The government launched a nationwide initiative to ensure that even the most remote rural populations would become functionally literate within a decade.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.