analphabet

noun

an·​al·​pha·​bet (ˌ)an-ˈal-fə-ˌbet How to pronounce analphabet (audio)
-bət
: a person who cannot read : illiterate
analphabetic adjective or noun
analphabetism noun

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin analphabētus, derivative of analphabētus, adjective, "illiterate," borrowed from Greek analphábētos, from an- an- + -alphabētos, derivative of alphábētos alphabet

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of analphabet was in 1881

Dictionary Entries Near analphabet

Cite this Entry

“Analphabet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/analphabet. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


What Did You Just Call Me?

  • brown chihuahua sitting on the floor with squinting eyes looking at the camera
  • Before we went to her house, Hannah told us her aunt was a flibbertigibbet.
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY