Meaning & Definition of word "Illegible"

Illegible

/ɪˈlɛdʒ.ə.bəl/

1. Not clear enough to be read.
- Example: His handwriting was so illegible that the teacher couldn't decipher the note.
2. Difficult or impossible to read.
- Example: The old manuscript was filled with illegible text, making it hard for historians to interpret.
3. Characterized by a lack of clarity in writing.
- Example: The report had several illegible sections, causing confusion among the team members.
4. Incapable of being understood because of poor writing or printing.
- Example: After the rain, the ink on the sign became illegible, and passersby struggled to read the directions.

From Latin 'illegibilis', combining 'in-' (not) + 'legibilis' (able to be read).

illegible handwriting:

Handwriting that cannot be read easily.

illegible notes:

Notes that are difficult to read due to poor writing.

illegible text:

Text that is unclear or difficult to decipher.

legible:

Capable of being read or deciphered.

Meaning: Chicken scratch

Example Sentence: He wrote his notes in a chicken scratch that was completely illegible.

Meaning: Scrawl

Example Sentence: Her scrawl was so bad that the teacher found it illegible.