n.
Pronunciation: ( ˌ )i(l)- ' li-t( ə -)r ə t
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