# illiterate

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ɪˈlɪtəɹət/ · frequency rank #17,860

## Definitions
1. Unable to read and write.
2. Having less than an expected standard of familiarity with language and literature, or having little formal education.
3. Not conforming to prescribed standards of speech or writing.
4. Ignorant in a specified way or about a specified subject.

## Etymology
First attested in 1425–1475, in Middle English; from Middle English illiterat(e) (“uneducated, ignorant of Latin”), borrowed from Latin illīterātus, illitterātus (“unlearned, ignorant”), itself from in- (“un-”) + līterātus, litterātus (“furnished with letters”) (see -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from lītera, littera (“letter, character”). The noun was derived from the adjective by substantivization, see -ate (noun-forming suffix).

## Easily confused with
- **illiteracy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/illiteracy-vs-illiterate)

## Common misspellings (12)
`ililterate`, `iliterate`, `illietrate`, `illitearte`, `illiteraet`, `illiteratte`, `illiterrate`, `illitertae`, `illitreate`, `illitterate`, `illtierate`, `liliterate`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/illiterate