illiteracy

American  

[ih-lit-er-uh-see] / ɪˈlɪt ər ə si /

noun

PLURAL

illiteracies

1. a lack of ability to read and write.

2. the state of being illiterate; lack of any or enough education.

3. a mistake in writing or speaking, felt to be characteristic of an illiterate or semiliterate person.

   a letter that was full of illiteracies.

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Other Word Forms

• semi-illiteracy noun

Etymology

Origin of illiteracy

First recorded in 1650–60; illiter(ate) + -acy

Example Sentences

It’s a tip of the hat to willful blindness, lack of critical thought and historical illiteracy.

From Salon

That is, it's the product of media incompetence and public illiteracy.

From Salon

White illiteracy rates, for instance, were four times higher in the South than in the North.

From Salon

She fears that the absence of this support, due to fear and lack of funds, could increase rates of illiteracy.

From BBC

Let’s talk about the widespread scientific illiteracy in this country.

From Salon

Related Words

• functional illiteracy
• illiterateness