alexia: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Specialized/Very Low Frequency)Technical/Medical/Academic
Quick answer
What does “alexia” mean?
A medical and neurological condition characterized by the loss of the ability to read, despite normal vision and intact language skills like speech and writing. It is caused by brain damage, typically in the left hemisphere.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medical and neurological condition characterized by the loss of the ability to read, despite normal vision and intact language skills like speech and writing. It is caused by brain damage, typically in the left hemisphere.
In a rare, non-medical context, 'alexia' can refer to a person's name. In linguistics or psychology, it is specifically the acquired inability to read, distinct from developmental reading disorders like dyslexia.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are standard.
Connotations
Purely clinical and neutral in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally low and specialized in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “alexia” in a Sentence
suffer from ~present with ~diagnose ~exhibit signs of ~Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “alexia” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No verb form exists]
American English
- [No verb form exists]
adverb
British English
- [No adverb form exists]
American English
- [No adverb form exists]
adjective
British English
- The alexic patient could write but not read back her own sentences.
American English
- His alexic symptoms were carefully mapped by the neuropsychologist.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Common in neuroscience, psychology, and medical case study papers. E.g., 'The lesion study provided insights into the neural substrates of pure alexia.'
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would only be used if discussing a specific medical condition of oneself or a relative.
Technical
The primary context. Used by neurologists, neuropsychologists, and speech therapists to describe a specific acquired neuropsychological deficit.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “alexia”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “alexia”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “alexia”
- Confusing 'alexia' (acquired) with 'dyslexia' (developmental).
- Using it to mean 'illiteracy' in a social context.
- Mispronouncing it as /eɪˈlɛksiə/ (like the name).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Alexia is an acquired reading disorder due to brain damage in a person who could previously read. Dyslexia is a developmental, often lifelong, difficulty in learning to read.
In the most common form, 'pure alexia' or 'alexia without agraphia', yes. The person can write but cannot read back what they have just written. Other forms may involve writing difficulties (agraphia).
No. It is a highly specialized medical/psychological term. The average English speaker may not know it or might confuse it with the name 'Alexia'.
There is no direct single-word antonym. The concept is 'normal reading ability' or 'literacy'. In a clinical context, you would describe the absence of alexia.
A medical and neurological condition characterized by the loss of the ability to read, despite normal vision and intact language skills like speech and writing. It is caused by brain damage, typically in the left hemisphere.
Alexia is usually technical/medical/academic in register.
Alexia: in British English it is pronounced /əˈlɛksɪə/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈlɛksiə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None for this technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Alex' who can't read his 'IA' (information). 'A-' (without) + 'lexia' (reading) = without reading.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MIND IS A TEXT PROCESSOR (that has suffered a critical hardware/software fault for reading).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary distinction between 'alexia' and 'dyslexia'?