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Definition of literate

literate

/ˈlɪt.ər.ət/
lit · er · ate
Adverb:literately
•
Plural:literates
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literate Lexical Profile

literate Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Able to read and write.

Example

"Thanks to the new community school, nearly the entire village is now literate."

2

Having competence, knowledge, or familiarity in a specified field or medium.

Example

"Modern employers expect all job applicants to be computer literate."

3

Well-educated, cultured, and well-read, or showing polished skill in writing.

Example

"The critic praised the novel as a witty and highly literate work of historical fiction."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• noun

1

A person who is able to read and write.

Example

"The national census recorded a sharp increase in the number of literates across rural provinces."

Antonyms
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• Rhymes for literate

• Nearby Words

literalmindedness
literalness
literary
literate
literately
literature
lithe

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late Middle English period from Latin 'litteratus', meaning 'marked with letters' or 'educated', derived from 'littera' ('letter of the alphabet').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Literate. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/literate
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