Illegible

/ɪˈlɛdʒ.ə.bəl/

Meaning & Definition

adjective

Not clear enough to be read.

His handwriting was so illegible that the teacher couldn't decipher the note.

Difficult or impossible to read.

The old manuscript was filled with illegible text, making it hard for historians to interpret.

Characterized by a lack of clarity in writing.

The report had several illegible sections, causing confusion among the team members.

Incapable of being understood because of poor writing or printing.

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.

Chicken scratch

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

Scrawl

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