Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Unable to read or write: Describes a person who lacks the basic skills of literacy.
   • Lacking knowledge or education in a specific field: Describes a person who is uneducated or ignorant about a particular subject or area, even if they are generally literate.

2. Noun:

   • A person who is unable to read or write: An individual who lacks literacy skills.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The government launched a campaign to teach illiterate adults.
  • He is a brilliant scientist but is completely computer illiterate.
• Noun:
  • The program aims to provide basic education for illiterates.

Advanced Usage

• Functionally illiterate: A person who has basic reading and writing skills but not enough to manage daily living and employment tasks.
  • He is functionally illiterate and struggles to fill out official forms.
• Cultural/Scientific/Political illiterate: Used to emphasize a profound lack of knowledge in a specific cultural or academic domain.
  • The book criticizes a generation that is becoming historically illiterate.

Variants and Related Words

• Illiteracy (n): The state of being illiterate; the condition of not being able to read or write.
  • The country has made great progress in reducing illiteracy.
• Illiterately (adv): In an illiterate manner.
  • The document was illiterately composed.

Synonyms

• Unlettered: Not well-educated; lacking literacy (formal/literary).
• Ignorant: Lacking knowledge or awareness in general or about a specific thing.

Antonyms

• Literate: Able to read and write; knowledgeable or educated in a particular field.
• Educated: Having been educated; having or showing knowledge or learning.

Adjective

1. lacking culture, especially in language and literature
2. uneducated in the fundamentals of a given art or branch of learning; lacking knowledge of a specific field
   • she is ignorant of quantum mechanics
   • he is musically illiterate
3. not able to read or write

Noun

1. a person unable to read