Main Entry: il·lit·er·ate

Pronunciation: \(ˌ)i(l)-ˈli-t(ə-)rət\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin illiteratus, from in- + litteratus literate

Date: 15th century

1 : having little or no education; especially : unable to read or write <an illiterate population>
2 a : showing or marked by a lack of familiarity with language and literature <an illiterate magazine> b : violating approved patterns of speaking or writing
3 : showing or marked by a lack of acquaintance with the fundamentals of a particular field of knowledge <musically illiterate>

synonyms see ignorant

— illiterate noun

— il·lit·er·ate·ly adverb

— il·lit·er·ate·ness noun