Illiterate
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ɪˈlɪtəɹət/ · Part of speech adjective
Quick meaning: Illiterate is an adjective meaning Unable to read and write.
Meaning
Unable to read and write.
More Meanings
- Having less than an expected standard of familiarity with language and literature, or having little formal education.
- Not conforming to prescribed standards of speech or writing.
- Ignorant in a specified way or about a specified subject.
- An illiterate person, one either not able to read and write or not knowing how.
- A person ignorant about a given subject. (The relevant subject is usually named as a noun adjunct.)
Example Sentences
He's illiterate […] Seriously, how did he get into RI?
About half of the population in Ethiopia is illiterate.
technologically illiterate, economically illiterate, emotionally illiterate
We might also provide education plus reading and writing services to adult illiterates.
Word Forms
- illitterate
- illiterates
Synonyms for illiterate
Depending on context, synonyms include analphabetic, ignorant, uncharactered, unlettered, analphabet, preliterate.
Antonyms for illiterate
Common opposites include literate.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include preliterate, semiliterate, unlettered, analphabetic, ignorant, illiteracy.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.