Illiterate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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illiterate

[ɪˈlɪtərət ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

education

Unable to read or write; having little or no education.

Synonyms

ignorant, uneducated, unlettered.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
illiterate	Use 'illiterate' when referring to someone who cannot read or write. Many adults in the remote village are illiterate. The campaign focuses on reducing illiteracy rates.
uneducated	Use 'uneducated' when talking about someone who has not received formal education or schooling. Coming from an uneducated background, she had to work hard to catch up. The uneducated population faces many employment challenges.
ignorant	Use 'ignorant' when describing someone who lacks knowledge or awareness in a particular area. This word can have a negative connotation. He was ignorant of the local customs. Her ignorant remarks offended many people.
unlettered	Use 'unlettered' as a more formal term for someone who is illiterate, often used in historical or academic contexts. The unlettered peasants struggled to navigate the growing bureaucracy. In old times, being unlettered was common among the working class.

Examples of usage

Many illiterate adults struggle to find employment.
In some regions, illiterate rates are still high despite efforts to improve education.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

society

A person who is unable to read or write.

Synonyms

nonreader, unlettered person.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
illiterate	Used in the same context as 'uneducated', but explicitly refers to the inability to read and write. She grew up illiterate but learned to read later in life. The illiterate population tends to have limited access to job opportunities.
nonreader	Refers to someone who does not read, often by choice. This term is less about ability and more about behavior or preference. It doesn't necessarily have a negative connotation. He's a nonreader who prefers watching movies instead of reading books. Schools are developing programs to engage nonreaders and encourage a love for reading.
unlettered person	A somewhat archaic way to describe someone who cannot read or write. It is often used in literary or historical contexts. In the past, being an unlettered person was common in rural areas. The novel portrays the struggles of an unlettered person trying to navigate a literate society.

Word

Description / Examples

illiterate

Used in the same context as 'uneducated', but explicitly refers to the inability to read and write.

She grew up illiterate but learned to read later in life.
The illiterate population tends to have limited access to job opportunities.

nonreader

Refers to someone who does not read, often by choice. This term is less about ability and more about behavior or preference. It doesn't necessarily have a negative connotation.

He's a nonreader who prefers watching movies instead of reading books.
Schools are developing programs to engage nonreaders and encourage a love for reading.

unlettered person

A somewhat archaic way to describe someone who cannot read or write. It is often used in literary or historical contexts.

In the past, being an unlettered person was common in rural areas.
The novel portrays the struggles of an unlettered person trying to navigate a literate society.

Examples of usage

Illiterates face challenges in accessing information in today's digital world.
The literacy program aims to reduce the number of illiterates in the community.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'illiterate'

The word 'illiterate' originated in the early 16th century from the Latin word 'illiteratus', meaning unlearned or ignorant. In historical contexts, illiteracy was a common issue due to limited access to education. Over time, efforts have been made to reduce illiteracy rates globally through educational initiatives and literacy programs.

See also: literacy, literary, literature.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,092, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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12089 scant
12090 dolomite
12091 helpers
12092 illiterate
12093 transducer
12094 exchanging
12095 persecuted
...