adjective
Uncommon
illiterate
ih-LIH-tuh-ruht
Illiterate (adjective) means Unable to read or write. Example: “Nearly a third of the population was illiterate at the time.”
adjective
1
Unable to read or write.
"About half of the population in Ethiopia is illiterate."
"Nearly a third of the population was illiterate at the time."
2
Lacking basic knowledge in a particular field.
"He cheerfully admitted to being computer illiterate."
How to use illiterate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCan't read or write — or, more loosely, lacks basic know-how in some area (e.g. "financially illiterate").
Common pairings
functionally illiterate
computer illiterate
financially illiterate
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Word forms
- Plural
- illiterates
- Comparative
- more illiterate
- Superlative
- most illiterate
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Nearly a third of the population was _____ at the time.
Etymology
From Latin illiteratus, "unlearned" — in- ("not") + literatus ("lettered, educated").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for illiterate
See all rhymes for illiterate →Frequently asked questions
What does “illiterate” mean?
The word “illiterate” means unable to read or write. In plain terms, can't read or write — or, more loosely, lacks basic know-how in some area (e.g. "financially illiterate").
How do you pronounce “illiterate”?
“Illiterate” is pronounced ih-LIH-tuh-ruht (/ɪˈlɪtəɹət/ in IPA).
How do you use “illiterate” in a sentence?
Here is “illiterate” used in a sentence: “Nearly a third of the population was illiterate at the time.”
What is another word for “illiterate”?
Words with a similar meaning to “illiterate” include analphabetic, ignorant, uncharactered, unlettered and analphabet.
What is the opposite of “illiterate”?
The opposite of “illiterate” — its antonyms — is literate.
What part of speech is “illiterate”?
“Illiterate” is an adjective.
Where does the word “illiterate” come from?
The word “illiterate” comes from Latin. From Latin illiteratus, "unlearned" — in- ("not") + literatus ("lettered, educated").
Is “illiterate” a common word?
“Illiterate” is an uncommon word in modern English.
