literacy

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈlɪtəɹəsi/, /ˈlɪtɹəsi/ (UK); /ˈlɪtəɹəsi/, /ˈlɪtɹəsi/ (US)^[1]

Etymology

It is from English literate + -cy,^[2][3] on the pattern of the older illiteracy.^[4][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

The ability to read and write: 1883 in the OED and Etymonline;^[6][2] Merriam-Webster dates it to 1880.^[3]

Semantic evolution

The negative illiteracy is much older, from the 17th century.^[2] A wider sense, competence or knowledge in a particular area (as in computer literacy), and the ability to use language well are in modern dictionaries.^[7][8]

Timeline

• 17th century – illiteracy.^[2]
• 1880 – literacy (Merriam-Webster).^[3]
• 1883 – literacy (OED).^[6]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. The ability to read and write.
2. The ability to use language well; knowledge or competence in a particular field.

Word family

• aliteracy
• computer literacy

Related words

• letter
• literal
• literary
• literate
• literature
• numeracy
• illiteracy

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
4. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
6. ^ a b Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
7. ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin
8. ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins