How to pronounce illiterate
Say it like il-IT-uh-rut. Illiterate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (IT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce illiterate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- il
- IT
- uh
- rut
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Illiterate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ilGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ITSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- rutKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of illiterate
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: il-IT-uh-rut.
What does illiterate mean?
- Unable to read and write.“About half of the population in Ethiopia is illiterate.”
- Having less than an expected standard of familiarity with language and literature, or having little formal education.
- Not conforming to prescribed standards of speech or writing.
- An illiterate person, one either not able to read and write or not knowing how.
- A person ignorant about a given subject. (The relevant subject is usually named as a noun adjunct.)“Their government is run by business illiterates.”
Where does illiterate come from?
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 (“fur
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying illiterate
How do you pronounce illiterate?
Say il-IT-uh-rut. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪˈlɪtərət/. In British English it is /ˌɪˈlɪtərət/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in illiterate?
Illiterate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (IT). Broken into parts: il · IT · uh · rut.
Is illiterate pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˌɪˈlɪtərət/ (il-IT-uh-rut).