illiteracy

noun

il·​lit·​er·​a·​cy (ˌ)i(l)-ˈli-t(ə-)rə-sē 

plural illiteracies

1

: the quality or state of being illiterate

especially : inability to read or write

2

: a mistake or crudity (as in speaking) typical of one who is illiterate

Synonyms

• ignorance

Examples of illiteracy in a Sentence

the government's efforts to reduce illiteracy

His letters contain many misspellings and illiteracies.

Recent Examples on the Web

Women and minority groups, including Black and Hispanic populations, have disproportionately higher rates of financial illiteracy compared to their male and white or Asian counterparts. —Monique Johnson, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024

But social media and polarized politics are exposing it at industrial scale, fueled by a poisonous cocktail of bad actors, media illiteracy and plummeting trust in traditional news. —Zachary Basu, Axios, 19 Oct. 2024

What does McMahon see as the root causes of such illiteracy? —Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024

Stubborn circumstances Chronically absent students are at higher risk of illiteracy and eventually dropping out. —Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1660, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

illiteracy

noun

il·​lit·​er·​a·​cy (ˈ)il-ˈ(l)it-ə-rə-sē 

-ˈ(l)i-trə-sē

plural illiteracies

1

: the quality or state of being illiterate

especially : inability to read or write

2

: a mistake made by or typical of an illiterate person