illiteracy

American  

[ih-lit-er-uh-see] / ɪˈlɪt ər ə si /

noun

illiteracies plural

1. a lack of ability to read and write.

2. the state of being illiterate; lack of any or enough education.

3. a mistake in writing or speaking, felt to be characteristic of an illiterate or semiliterate person.

   a letter that was full of illiteracies.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• semi-illiteracy
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• illiteracies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of illiteracy

First recorded in 1650–60; illiter(ate) + -acy

Explanation

Illiteracy is the inability to read. You can help someone overcome illiteracy by reading together, or even by sharing your knowledge of vocabulary. The word literacy means “the ability to read.” By adding the prefix il-, you change the meaning of the word to its opposite. Illiteracy can refer not only to the inability to read but also to a lack of knowledge in other subject areas. If you’ve never heard of Shakespeare, some people might consider you culturally illiterate.

Example Sentences

He referred to a 10-point plan that Caribbean nations have put to European nations, including international debt cancellation, as well as support for healthcare and illiteracy eradication.

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

This included asking for a full formal apology, cancelling foreign debts and investment to tackle illiteracy and public health issues.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

If this isn’t done we will continue to have high levels of illiteracy at the secondary level and in adulthood.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

That is, it's the product of media incompetence and public illiteracy.

From Salon • May 25, 2025

But what she wanted to do, in essence, was create a learning epidemic to counter the prevailing epidemics of poverty and illiteracy.

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell

Related Words

• functional illiteracy
• illiterateness