illegible

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "illegible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe handwriting or any other text that is difficult or impossible to read. Example: The handwritten note was so badly written that it was almost illegible.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His slate-gray eyes illegible behind a Lone Ranger mask.

The Guardian - Business

The 215 letters are said to be almost illegible but have nevertheless been given a guide price of £10,000 to £15,000 for the auction at McTear's Glasgow showroom on Tuesday.

The Guardian

They then applied it to previously illegible manuscripts called the Oxyrhynchus papyri, which were discovered in an ancient rubbish dump in Egypt.

The Economist

"What kind of German would I be if I had slunk away to a life of ease in my country's hour of affliction and ignominy?" he wrote.In this section A spine-tingling and blissful infinity Spinning tales Seeing through fire Killer prose Travelling hopefully Right to write ReprintsThose words were scribbled in a psychiatric prison in 1944, in tiny and all but illegible handwriting in a secret diary.

The Economist

But it is the gritty crayon strokes that captured my attention, as if they were some illegible script, or alphabet.

The Economist

"You guys," he says, "you're doing it so fast it's illegible".

The Economist

One, the control word, is a known word; the other is an illegible word from a scanned document.

The Economist

The first page of the manuscript, which had previously proved illegible, revealed some of its secrets.

The Economist

They had not been counted for technical reasons, such as illegible handwriting on the tally sheets, he said.

The Economist

In this region, Welsh takes precedence on road signs and the English words are often illegible, thanks to the patriotic application of spray paint.

The Economist

But both Jefferson's rough draft and the broadside of the Declaration distributed by Congress in 1776 had a comma, and high-resolution images of the (now nearly illegible) master parchment seem to suggest the mark was a comma as well.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing handwriting, consider specifying what makes it "illegible", such as the speed, pressure, or style of writing.

Common error

While "illegible" is widely understood, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing. Instead, consider more precise terms like "indecipherable" or "unreadable" depending on the specific reason for the lack of clarity.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "illegible" primarily functions to describe a noun, indicating that it is difficult or impossible to read. Ludwig examples show it used with nouns like "handwriting", "manuscripts", and "documents", specifying their unreadability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "illegible" is used to describe something that is difficult or impossible to read. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appears "Very common" across various contexts, especially in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. While versatile, it's beneficial to consider synonyms like ""unreadable"" or "indecipherable" for nuanced expression. When describing handwriting, providing details about the specific issues enhances clarity. Avoid overuse in exclusively formal settings for a more precise tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unreadable

Focuses specifically on the inability to read the text due to poor writing or damage.

unintelligible

Emphasizes that the text lacks coherence or logical structure, making it impossible to understand.

indecipherable

Implies that the text cannot be decoded or understood, even with effort.

incomprehensible

Stresses the inability to grasp the meaning of the text.

unclear

Suggests a lack of clarity, which may extend beyond just text to include concepts or ideas.

obscured

Indicates that something is blocking or hiding the text, making it difficult to read.

faint

Describes text that is hard to see because it is light or faded.

blurred

Suggests that the text is out of focus or lacks sharp definition.

vague

Refers to a lack of clarity or precision in the text's content, making it difficult to understand.

ambiguous

Indicates that the text has multiple possible interpretations, leading to confusion.

FAQs

How can I use "illegible" in a sentence?

You can use "illegible" to describe anything that is difficult or impossible to read. For example: "The handwriting on the old document was almost "unreadable"." or "The print was so small that it was "difficult to read"".

What can I say instead of "illegible"?

You can use alternatives such as ""unreadable"", "indecipherable", or "unclear" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "illegible handwriting" or "unreadable handwriting"?

Both "illegible handwriting" and "unreadable handwriting" are correct and convey the same meaning. The choice often comes down to personal preference, but "illegible" is slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "illegible" and "obscured"?

"Illegible" refers to something that cannot be read due to poor writing or printing, while "obscured" means that something is hidden or blocked from view. For example, handwriting can be "illegible", while a sign might be "partially obscured" by foliage.