illiterate
Use Illiterate in a sentence
ər adjective
1.
unable to read and write: an illiterate group.
2.
having or demonstrating very little or no education.
4.
displaying a marked lack of knowledge in a particular field: He is musically illiterate.
noun
5.
an illiterate person.
00:10
Illiterate
is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
Related forms
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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To Illiterate
Collins
World English Dictionary
illiterate (ɪˈlɪtərɪt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | unable to read and write |
| 2. | violating accepted standards in reading and writing: an illiterate scrawl |
| 3. | uneducated, ignorant, or uncultured: scientifically illiterate |
| —n | |
| 4. | an illiterate person |
| il'literacy | |
| —n | |
| il'literateness | |
| —n | |
| il'literately | |
| —adv | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
illiterate
1556, from L. illiteratus "unlearned, ignorant," from in- "not" + literatus, lit. "furnished with letters."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
Example sentences
It's particularly useful for illiterate members of the community, who may be unable to write text messages.
The brother showed her an official-looking paper, but being illiterate, she couldn't read it.
According to the above definition, many many citizens are scientifically illiterate.
Most of them were illiterate, and not well versed in the ideological differences between capitalism and communism.
Nearby Words
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