Literate means able to read and write. A literate person can pick up a book and understand the words on the page, and can write down their thoughts so others can read them.

Throughout most of human history, only a small number of people were literate. Learning to read and write required years of study, and most children worked instead of attending school. Kings and merchants hired scribes (professional writers) to read documents and write letters for them. The printing press, invented around 1440, made books cheaper and more available, and gradually more people learned to read. Today, most countries expect all children to become literate through public education.

Being literate opens up entire worlds. You can learn from books written centuries ago, follow instructions for building something, understand contracts before you sign them, or share your ideas through writing. The word can also mean being knowledgeable about a particular subject: someone who is computer literate understands how to use technology effectively, while someone who is financially literate knows how to manage money wisely.

The opposite is illiterate, meaning unable to read or write. Today, literacy is considered so important that organizations worldwide work to teach reading and writing to adults who missed the chance to learn as children.