nonreader

nonreader

English

Etymology

    From non- + reader.

    Noun

    nonreader (plural nonreaders)

    1. One who does not read.
      • 1988 December 11, Georgia Cotrell, “A Lezbeen Sam Spade”, in Gay Community News, volume 16, number 22, page 8:
        Wings' handling of the standard-issue Hammettesque equipment is light, fast, and witty enough to allow even inveterate non-readers of mysteries like myself to stay tuned.
      • 2007 February 24, Alan Riding, “Read It? No, but You Can Skim a Few Pages and Fake It”, in New York Times[1]:
        “I am surprised because I hadn’t imagined how guilty nonreaders feel,” Mr. Bayard, 52, said in an interview.

    Usage notes

    • Probably less pejorative than illiterate, leaving open the question of ability to read.