Question 1 · Quick check
illiterate
CEFRC1
/ɪˈlɪtəɹət/
adjective
Türkçe translations
Translating…
In plain English
- 01
adjective
Unable to read or write.
- 02
adjective
Extra detailHaving less than an expected standard of familiarity with language and literature, or having little formal education.
Examples
An illiterate man was fair game for the literate exploiters who contributed to his domination.
The illiterate man was eager to increase his vocabulary.
At a glance
Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale
- Senses
- 5
- Parts of speech
- 1
- Citations
- 5
- Synonyms
- 5
Deep Dive
adjective
Extra meaningsNot conforming to prescribed standards of speech or writing.
Unable to read and write.
Ignorant in a specified way or about a specified subject.
More examples
In contextAbout half of the population in Ethiopia is illiterate.
Their government is run by business illiterates.
technologically illiterate, economically illiterate, emotionally illiterate
Related
Quick test
Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.
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Nearby
Origin
adjective
First attested in 1425–1475, in Middle English; from Middle English illiterat(e) (“uneducated, ignorant of Latin”), borrowed from Latin illīterātus, illitterātus (“unlearned, ignorant”), itself from in- (“un-”) + līterātus, litterātus (“furnished with letters”) (see -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from lītera, littera (“letter, character”). The noun was derived from the adjective by substantivization, see -ate (noun-forming suffix).