illiterate

adjective
UK: /ɪˈlɪtərət/
US: /ɪˈlɪtərət/

  1. Unable to read or write.

    1. He is illiterate and needs help filling out the form.
    2. Many older people in the village are illiterate because they never went to school.

  2. Not educated in a particular subject or area.

    1. I am completely computer illiterate so I can't help you.
    2. She was politically illiterate and didn't understand the election issues.

Synonyms

uneducated unschooled unlettered
illiterate noun

  1. A person who is unable to read or write.

    1. He was an illiterate when he arrived in the country.
    2. The program aims to help illiterates learn basic reading skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "illiterate" in English means: Unable to read or write., Not educated in a particular subject or area..

The phonetic transcription of "illiterate" is /ɪˈlɪtərət/ in British English and /ɪˈlɪtərət/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "illiterate": uneducated, unschooled, unlettered.

Example usage of "illiterate": "He is illiterate and needs help filling out the form.". More examples on the page.