analphabet

noun

an·​al·​pha·​bet (ˌ)an-ˈal-fə-ˌbet How to pronounce analphabet (audio)
-bət
: a person who cannot read : illiterate
analphabetic
ˌan-ˌal-fə-ˈbe-tik How to pronounce analphabet (audio)
adjective or noun
analphabetism
(ˌ)an-ˈal-fə-bə-ˌti-zəm How to pronounce analphabet (audio)
noun

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin analphabētus, derivative of analphabētus, adjective, "illiterate," borrowed from Greek analphábētos, from an- an- + -alphabētos, derivative of alphábētos alphabet

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of analphabet was in 1881

Rhymes for analphabet

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Browse Nearby Words

analogy test
analphabet
analphabetic
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Cite this Entry

“Analphabet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/analphabet. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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