Definition of "illiteracy" in English

noun

1. (uncountable) The inability to read and write.

   • Illiteracy is widespread in certain areas of the country.

2. (uncountable) The portion of a population unable to read and write, generally given as a percentage.

3. (countable) A word, phrase, or grammatical turn thought to be characteristic of an illiterate person.

4. (uncountable, by extension) Unlearnedness; the state of being ignorant or unlettered.