illiterate

The definition of illiterate is someone who is unable to read or write, or who is ignorant about a certain subject.

(adjective)

An example of illiterate is a description for a person who has never learned to read.

Illiterate is defined as a person who never learned how to read.

(noun)

An example of illiterate is a person who doesn't know how to read.

See illiterate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

ignorant; uneducated; esp., not knowing how to read or write
having or showing limited knowledge, experience, or culture, esp. in some particular field: musically illiterate
violating accepted usage in language: an illiterate sentence

Origin: L illiteratus, unlettered: see in- & literate

noun

an illiterate person; esp., a person who does not know how to read or write

Related Forms:

See illiterate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

a. Unable to read and write.
b. Having little or no formal education.
a. Marked by inferiority to an expected standard of familiarity with language and literature.
b. Violating prescribed standards of speech or writing.
Ignorant of the fundamentals of a given art or branch of knowledge: musically illiterate. See Usage Note at literate.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Latin illīterātus

Origin: : in-, not; see in-¹

Origin: + līterātus, literate; see literate

Related Forms: