Word
illiterate
Phoneticsil·lit·er·ate, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪˈɫɪtɝət/
UK/ɪlˈɪtəɹət/
Definitions
01unable to read or write
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. describes someone who has not learned how to read or write.
adj. unable to read or write; lacking the basic skills of literacy.
“In the past, many people remained illiterate because they could not attend school.”
“The government launched a nationwide campaign to provide basic education to illiterate adults in rural provinces.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02poorly written
C2 · Proficiency Formal
adj. written in a way that does not follow the rules of grammar or language.
adj. failing to conform to the prescribed standards of grammar, syntax, or formal writing.
“The manager was angry because the report was messy and illiterate.”
“The professor dismissed the essay as illiterate, noting its complete disregard for standard academic punctuation and structure.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03a person who cannot read
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a person who does not know how to read or write.
n. an individual who lacks the ability to read or write.
“The charity provides special classes for illiterates to help them find better jobs.”
“The census categorized a significant portion of the elderly population as illiterates due to the lack of schooling during the war years.”
Usage
Often used with a qualifying adverb like 'functionally' or 'digitally'.
Real-World Examples
“He was also challenged about whether he was nonverbal until the age of 11, as well as being illiterate until 18.” “Arday said he had been nonverbal until the age of 11, requiring extensive speech and language therapy, as well as being illiterate until 18.” Etymology
First attested in 1425–1475, in Middle English; from Middle English illiterat(e) (“uneducated, ignorant of Latin”), borrowed from Latin illīterātus, illitterātus (“unlearned, ignorant”), itself from in- (“un-”) + līterātus, litterātus (“furnished with letters”) (see -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from lītera, littera (“letter, character”). The noun was derived from the adjective by substantivization, see -ate (noun-forming suffix).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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