barely legible

USAGE SUMMARY

'barely legible' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been written or printed in a very hard-to-read way. Example sentence: The instructions on the bottle of medicine were barely legible.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His handwriting was barely legible and his English was comic.

The New Yorker

The words are barely legible without a magnifying glass.

The New Yorker

His handwriting, he reported, was like a child's -- barely legible.

The New York Times - Magazine

He signed the autograph, but it was barely legible, and he got the paper all wet.

The New Yorker

That ball, dirty and scuffed and barely legible, sits in a mug on my desk.

The New York Times - Sports

The addition fit perfectly, and turned the now barely legible offending hues mistily seductive.

The New Yorker

One administrator tried stimulating her brain by writing with her opposite hand (with barely legible results).

The New York Times - Health

He appealed the conviction, filing a succession of mostly handwritten, barely legible papers.

The New York Times

The chicken scratches are barely legible the next day, but it does work.

The Guardian

The stylistic borders between underground and mainstream, always a bit exaggerated, are barely legible today.

The New Yorker

The handwriting is barely legible and appears to be addressed to someone in the "cty of Jesey".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing old documents or inscriptions, using "barely legible" can effectively convey the state of deterioration or wear.

Common error

Avoid using "barely legible" when referring to text produced by modern fonts or printing techniques, unless there is a specific reason for the text to be unclear (e.g., damage or intentional obfuscation).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely legible" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its readability. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used, like in "barely legible handwriting".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

14%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely legible" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something that is difficult to read. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s frequently used in various contexts, including news and media and academic settings. The phrase effectively conveys the poor condition of written text, such as handwriting, inscriptions, or printed material. Related phrases include "almost unreadable" and "hardly readable". When using this phrase, remember to avoid overusing it with modern fonts and consider its application to damaged or deteriorated texts. This guide offers a comprehensive understanding of "barely legible", helping you use it effectively and appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost unreadable

Emphasizes the difficulty in reading something due to poor quality or condition.

hardly readable

Similar to "barely legible", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the difficulty.

scarcely readable

Indicates that reading is possible, but requires significant effort.

faintly discernible

Focuses on the challenge of distinguishing the letters or characters.

indistinctly written

Highlights the lack of clarity in the writing itself.

poorly transcribed

Suggests that the issue stems from a flawed transcription process.

nearly indecipherable

Implies that understanding the writing is extremely difficult, almost impossible.

partially obscured

Focuses on the letters being hidden or covered in some way.

imperfectly clear

Highlights the general lack of clarity, not just in terms of legibility.

virtually illegible

Similar to "almost unreadable", but may imply that it requires an expert to read.

FAQs

How can I use "barely legible" in a sentence?

You can use "barely legible" to describe handwriting, inscriptions, or printed text that is difficult to read due to fading, damage, or poor penmanship. For example, "The archaeologist carefully photographed the "barely legible" inscription on the ancient stone tablet".

What can I say instead of "barely legible"?

You can use alternatives like "almost unreadable", "hardly readable", or "scarcely readable" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "barely legible" and "illegible"?

"Barely legible" means that something is extremely difficult to read, but still possibly decipherable with effort. "Illegible" means that something is completely impossible to read. Therefore, "barely legible" suggests more readability than "illegible".

Which is correct, "barely legible handwriting" or "barely legible hand writing"?

"Barely legible handwriting" is the correct phrasing. "Handwriting" is a single word referring to the style of someone's writing, whereas "hand writing" would refer to the act of writing by hand.