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Glite Dictionary
semiliterate

semiliterate

1 7.6
Only able to read and write at a very basic level
  • adjective
  • /ˌsɛmɪˈlɪtərɪt/
translation icon : semialfabeto
  • The few speakers under age thirty-five were semiliterate, according to Mary Eunice Romero, a Karas (Pueblo).
  • nonliterate and semiliterate
  • illiterate or semiliterate
  • semiliterate adolescent

Examples

  • It's nearly miraculous that you are capable of solving an entire country's problems while being semiliterate.

    Blog text (22)

  • Probably a substantial number of persons classified as literate might be regarded more properly as semiliterate, knowing enough ideographs to read simple texts and write a brief message or letter.

    Academic text (1991)

  • However, slight modifications were made to accommodate illiterate and semiliterate participants.

    Academic text (1992)

  • The signature was Lute McNeil's, written in a bold, semiliterate hand.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • The vast majority of highland migrants have a peasant background, are illiterate or semiliterate, and settled in the outskirts of the older central area, living in precarious material conditions.

    Academic text (1991)

  • While these instructional practices are valuable and serve many students, we have found that they do not adequately serve the needs of nonliterate and semiliterate adolescent SLIFE.

    Academic text (2015)

  • In fact, while previous allusions to concepts from Christianity had at least a chance of being registered by the semiliterate audience composed of drug users and unwitting teenaged parents, Dr. Drew's reference to Greek mythology seems particularly likely to fall on deaf ears.

    Academic text (2005)

  • Many adults in the region are semiliterate, struggling to read basic signs and instructions.

  • The charity aims to help semiliterate individuals improve their reading and writing skills.

  • She managed to navigate her job application despite being semiliterate and needing assistance.

Synonyms

functionally illiterate
vssemiliterate
2 8.2

Cannot read or write well enough to do everyday tasks

has basic partial skills but can manage some simple reading and writing

Antonyms

literate
11 2.5

Able to read and write

illiterate
4 4.4

A person who cannot read or write

How Literate

proficient
32 6.0
literate
11 2.5
semiliterate
1 7.6
illiterate
29 3.7

Surface Forms

semiliterate positive

Morphology

semiliterate = literate (transparent) = semi + literate

The meaning is directly built from the prefix 'semi-' meaning partial and the adjective 'literate'.

Etymology

The word semiliterate comes from semi- meaning 'half' and literate meaning 'able to read and write', the same part you see in literature. So a semiliterate person can read or write a little but not fully.