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
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
His new idea is a frank expression of economic illiteracy.
—
Rich Lowry, National Review, 22 Mar. 2024
Film reviewers similarly broadcast their cultural illiteracy.
—Armond White, National Review, 8 Mar. 2024
Room to Read is a global education nonprofit aiming to creating a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Mar. 2024
Libraries are on the frontlines of so many wars—the war against censorship, the war against the erosion of personal privacy, the war against illiteracy, the war against fascism and the crumbling of democracy.
—Lisa Bubert, Longreads, 27 Feb. 2024
Joe Biden’s latest argument for why the crisis at the southern border isn’t his fault is predicated on the assumption of widespread civic illiteracy.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 30 Jan. 2024
And Americans lose nearly $2000/year because of to financial illiteracy.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 26 Jan. 2024
Poverty, illiteracy, exploitation by the wealthy, searching for identity and belonging, and overindulging in sweets are some of the major themes in Wonka.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 15 Dec. 2023
In 1848, Ellen and William Craft, an enslaved couple in Georgia, made a daring escape north disguised as a sickly young white planter and his male slave — Ellen as the wealthy scion in a stovepipe hat, dark green glasses and a sling over her right arm to conceal her illiteracy.
—The New York Times Books Staff, New York Times, 28 Nov. 2023
Rich Lowry, National Review, 22 Mar. 2024
Film reviewers similarly broadcast their cultural illiteracy.
—Armond White, National Review, 8 Mar. 2024
Room to Read is a global education nonprofit aiming to creating a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Mar. 2024
Libraries are on the frontlines of so many wars—the war against censorship, the war against the erosion of personal privacy, the war against illiteracy, the war against fascism and the crumbling of democracy.
—Lisa Bubert, Longreads, 27 Feb. 2024
Joe Biden’s latest argument for why the crisis at the southern border isn’t his fault is predicated on the assumption of widespread civic illiteracy.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 30 Jan. 2024
And Americans lose nearly $2000/year because of to financial illiteracy.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 26 Jan. 2024
Poverty, illiteracy, exploitation by the wealthy, searching for identity and belonging, and overindulging in sweets are some of the major themes in Wonka.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 15 Dec. 2023
In 1848, Ellen and William Craft, an enslaved couple in Georgia, made a daring escape north disguised as a sickly young white planter and his male slave — Ellen as the wealthy scion in a stovepipe hat, dark green glasses and a sling over her right arm to conceal her illiteracy.
—The New York Times Books Staff, New York Times, 28 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'illiteracy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near illiteracy
Cite this Entry
“Illiteracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illiteracy. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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