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
The free event for National Financial Literacy Month is sponsored by the nonprofit Society for Financial Awareness, which aims to end financial illiteracy across the country.
—
Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
Functional illiteracy rates, for example, have not changed much since 1979 and remain as high as 20% by some measures.
—Veronique De Rugy, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2025
By the time the Supreme Court reopened those schools in 1964, the county’s 3% illiteracy rate for Black residents ages 5 to 22 had risen to 22%.
—Essence, 22 Mar. 2025
The National Financial Educators Council reports that financial illiteracy cost Americans more than $436 billion in 2022.
—Dr. Aman Alzubier, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illiteracy
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Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
Functional illiteracy rates, for example, have not changed much since 1979 and remain as high as 20% by some measures.
—Veronique De Rugy, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2025
By the time the Supreme Court reopened those schools in 1964, the county’s 3% illiteracy rate for Black residents ages 5 to 22 had risen to 22%.
—Essence, 22 Mar. 2025
The National Financial Educators Council reports that financial illiteracy cost Americans more than $436 billion in 2022.
—Dr. Aman Alzubier, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illiteracy
Cite this Entry
“Illiteracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illiteracy. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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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