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functionally illiterate

American  
[fuhngk-shuhn-uh-lee-i-lit-er-it] / ˈfʌŋk ʃən ə li ɪˈlɪt ər ɪt /

adjective

  1. being a functional illiterate; having some schooling but unable to read and write well enough for everyday needs.


Other Word Forms

  • functional illiteracy noun
  • functional illiterate noun

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But Mr Randel said too many pupils in Wales ended up being "functionally illiterate" and many could not access other subjects properly because of poor reading skills.

From BBC • Jul. 17, 2024

Before he went viral, James rarely spoke about his disability, or the schooling that left him functionally illiterate.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 28, 2022

Fourteen percent of our adult population is functionally illiterate.

From New York Times • Mar. 12, 2020

He is also functionally illiterate and does not have a high school diploma.

From Washington Post • May 17, 2018

About 70 percent of people with criminal records did not complete high school, and according to at least one study, about half are functionally illiterate.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander