illiteracy

/ɪˈlɪtərəsi/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈlɪtərəsi/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)i(l)-ˈli-t(ə-)rə-sē/ (ame, mw)

illiteracy — noun

1. the situation in which someone has never learned how letters and written words w

1.名詞C1
釋義

the situation in which someone has never learned how letters and written words work, so they cannot use written language to send or receive messages.

例句

Adult illiteracy remains a serious problem in many rural villages across Pakistan.

noun phrase: adult illiteracy

The charity that Jabari founded teaches reading classes to reduce illiteracy among older women.

collocation: reduce illiteracy

同義詞
  • innumeracy

    different domain — refers to inability with numbers, not reading

反義詞
  • literacy

    the direct opposite — the ability to read and write

文法句型

high illiteracy

adult illiteracy

illiteracy rate

用法筆記

Usually uncountable; often modified by a scale word (high, widespread, adult) or paired with a verb of intervention (reduce, fight, tackle, combat). Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about not being able to read or write at all.

常見錯誤

❌He has an illiteracy.
✅He is illiterate.' or 'He cannot read or write.
💡illiteracy is uncountable and describes a condition in a population, not a personal noun.
❌The illiteracies in the village are growing.
✅Illiteracy in the village is growing.
💡no plural form.

2. a person's poor understanding of one specific field — for example money, compute

2.名詞C2
釋義

a person's poor understanding of one specific field — for example money, computers, or science — usually named by a noun placed in front, as in 'financial illiteracy' or 'digital illiteracy'.

例句

Financial illiteracy can lead young workers like Diego to make poor choices about savings and loans.

compound noun: financial illiteracy

Daichi was shocked by his own digital illiteracy when his grandson asked him to open an email.

compound noun: digital illiteracy

同義詞
  • ignorance

    broader and often judgmental; illiteracy in this sense is more neutral and tied to a specific field

反義詞
  • literacy

    the parallel positive form — financial literacy, digital literacy

文法句型

[topic] illiteracy

financial illiteracy

digital illiteracy

用法筆記

Almost always premodified by a noun that names the knowledge area (financial, digital, scientific, political, legal, media). Distinguish from sense 1: this is metaphorical, about lacking knowledge in a specific field rather than not being able to read at all.

常見錯誤

❌She suffers from illiteracy about cars.
✅She knows very little about cars.' or 'She has automotive illiteracy.
💡this sense needs a premodifier or a recognised compound, not a prepositional phrase.