ILLITERATE

ignorant, illiterate

(adjective) uneducated in the fundamentals of a given art or branch of learning; lacking knowledge of a specific field; “she is ignorant of quantum mechanics”; “he is musically illiterate”

illiterate

(adjective) lacking culture, especially in language and literature

illiterate

(adjective) not able to read or write

illiterate, illiterate person, nonreader

(noun) a person unable to read

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adjective

illiterate (comparative more illiterate, superlative most illiterate)

Unable to read and write.

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.

Synonyms

• analphabetic

• ignorant

• unlettered

Antonyms

• literate

Noun

illiterate (plural illiterates)

An illiterate person, one not able to read and write.

A person ignorant about a given subject.

Synonyms

• analphabet

• analphabetic (noun)

Source: Wiktionary


Il*lit"er*ate, a. Etym: [L. illiteratus: pref. il- not + literatus learned. See In- not, and Literal.]

Definition: Ignorant of letters or books; unlettered; uninstructed; uneducated; as, an illiterate man, or people.

Syn.

– Ignorant; untaught; unlearned; unlettered; unscholary. See Ignorant.

– Il*lit"er*ate*ly, adv.

– Il*lit"er*ate*ness, n.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

11 April 2025

NEWSPAPER

(noun) cheap paper made from wood pulp and used for printing newspapers; “they used bales of newspaper every day”


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

Hawaii and California are the only two U.S. states that grow coffee plants commercially.

coffee icon