Synonyms

illiteracy

American

[ih-lit-er-uh-see] / ɪˈlɪt ər ə si /

noun

plural

illiteracies

a lack of ability to read and write.
the state of being illiterate; lack of any or enough education.
a mistake in writing or speaking, felt to be characteristic of an illiterate or semiliterate person.

a letter that was full of illiteracies.

Other Word Forms

semi-illiteracy noun

Etymology

Origin of illiteracy

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

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.

The proposals went from cancelling foreign debts to investing in tackling illiteracy and public health.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

After confessing his illiteracy on TikTok, a fitness influencer discovered that his online audience was ready to help him learn to read.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026

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

From Salon • May 25, 2025

In a lesser-known history, the federal government helped bring public education to Southern white children, whose illiteracy rates prior to Reconstruction were five times as high as in the North.

From Slate • Feb. 6, 2025

If the machine were used deliberately for that end, hunger, overwork, dirt, illiteracy, and disease could be eliminated within a few generations.

From "1984" by George Orwell

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023