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Glite Dictionary
analphabet

analphabet

9.9
A person who cannot read or write
  • noun
  • /ˌænəˈlfəˌbɛt/
translation icon : analfabeto
  • The literacy program aimed to help every analphabet in the region learn to read and write.

Examples

  • Studies show that being an analphabet can significantly limit employment opportunities.

  • She is an analphabet.

  • Even at an advanced age, she remained an analphabet, never having been taught the alphabet.

  • Don't call him an analphabet!

  • Many children in remote areas remain analphabet due to lack of access to education.

  • The teacher developed a special program for analphabets to help them learn basic reading and writing skills.

  • Efforts to reduce the number of analphabets in the community have increased in recent years.

Synonyms

illiterate
vsanalphabet
4 4.4

A person who cannot read or write

focuses more on not knowing letters rather than general reading inability
illiterate person
vsanalphabet
1 4.0

A person who cannot read or write

adds that the person also does not know the letters specifically
analphabetic
vsanalphabet
  • Specialized
9.9

A person who cannot read or write

means the same but differs only in word form or ending

Antonyms

literate
2.7

A person who can read and write

Surface Forms

analphabet singular
analphabets plural

Morphology

analphabet = alphabet (semi-transparent) = an + alphabet

The base 'alphabet' is clear, but the Greek negative prefix 'an-' is less familiar to many learners, so the negated meaning ('not knowing the alphabet') is only partly transparent.

Etymology

The word analphabet comes from the Greek prefix a- meaning 'not' and alphabet meaning 'the letters of a language'. So, it literally names someone who does not know the alphabet, which is why it means a person who cannot read or write.