illiteracy

noun

il·​lit·​er·​a·​cy (ˌ)i(l)-ˈli-t(ə-)rə-sē How to pronounce illiteracy (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There is a romance of illiteracy here, as if poetry should be looked at instead of thoughtfully read. Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 6 May 2025 One act of economic illiteracy would therefore sabotage both Medicaid and Medicare simultaneously. Sally Pipes, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025 At the same time, the illiteracy crisis is about more than curriculum. Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025 Emotional illiteracy, disconnection from the body and organizational cultures that discourage vulnerability reinforce this divide. Nancy Zamierowski, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for illiteracy

Word History

First Known Use

1660, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of illiteracy was in 1660

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Cite this Entry

“Illiteracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illiteracy. Accessed 19 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

illiteracy

noun
il·​lit·​er·​a·​cy (ˈ)il-ˈ(l)it-ə-rə-sē How to pronounce illiteracy (audio)
-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

More from Merriam-Webster on illiteracy

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