illiterate

[ ih-lit-er-it ]

adjective

1. unable to read and write:

   an illiterate group.

2. having or demonstrating very little or no education.
3. showing lack of culture, especially in language and literature.
4. displaying a marked lack of knowledge in a particular field:

   He is musically illiterate.

noun

1. an illiterate person.

illiterate

/ ɪˈlɪtərɪt /

adjective

1. unable to read and write
2. violating accepted standards in reading and writing

   an illiterate scrawl

3. uneducated, ignorant, or uncultured

   scientifically illiterate

noun

1. an illiterate person

Derived Forms

• ilˈliterately, adverb
• ilˈliteracy, noun

Other Words From

• il·liter·ate·ly adverb
• il·liter·ate·ness noun
• semi-il·liter·ate adjective
• semi-il·liter·ate·ly adverb
• semi-il·liter·ate·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of illiterate¹

First recorded in 1550–60, illiterate is from the Latin word illiterātus unlettered. See il- ², literate

Synonym Study

See ignorant.

Example Sentences

That’s especially true when an economically illiterate news media stokes consumer fears.

From Los Angeles Times

But Mr Randel said too many pupils in Wales ended up being "functionally illiterate" and many could not access other subjects properly because of poor reading skills.

From BBC

In a “grief illiterate” society, there are a lot of common misconceptions about loss, said Stephanie Weil, a clinical social worker who has worked with parents who have lost children.

From Seattle Times

Just for good measure, he described the country's senior jurists as "peasants" and labelled their judgement "illiterate".

From BBC

Ethel Waters in 1949 became the second Black performer to score an Oscar nomination as an illiterate Southern laundress in “Pinky.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ignorant
• uneducated