illiterate

== English == === Alternative forms === illitterate (obsolete) === 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). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ɪˈlɪtəɹət/, /ɪˈlɪtɹət/ === Adjective === illiterate (comparative more illiterate, superlative most illiterate) Unable to read and write. Coordinate terms: semiliterate, subliterate 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. economically illiterate, emotionally illiterate ==== Synonyms ==== analphabetic ignorant uncharactered (obsolete) unlettered ==== Antonyms ==== literate ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== innumerate (adjective) numerate (adjective) === Noun === illiterate (plural illiterates) An illiterate person, one either not able to read and write or not knowing how. A person ignorant about a given subject. (The relevant subject is usually named as a noun adjunct.) Hyponym: innumerate ==== Synonyms ==== analphabet analphabetic (noun) ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== innumerate (noun) numerate (noun) === References === Douglas Harper (2001–2026), “illiterate”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.