Meaning & use
semiliterate
Able to read and write only with difficulty or to a very limited degree.
See it in a sentence
Many rural workers of that era were semiliterate, able to sign their names but little more.
The charity teaches semiliterate adults basic reading skills so they can fill out job applications.
A note on using this word
Semiliterate is a somewhat sensitive term; 'low literacy' or 'emerging reader' is often preferred in educational settings.
Words with a similar meaning
This term is best learned through its definition and examples.
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
literate
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