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 28 Mar. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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