not legible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not legible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe text or handwriting that cannot be read due to poor quality or clarity. Example: "The note was so smudged that it was not legible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

On the codicil in question, there is no space and the SS is not legible.

The New York Times

The regulator said the list was "briefly visible" to This Morning viewers, but McAlpine's name was not legible.

The Guardian

Nevertheless, many cities are facing the problem of underutilized parks which could be due to the park elements that are not legible and appealing.

Cities

The most important characteristic of a thermometer is accuracy, but if it's not legible or stable, there's no point in putting it in the oven.

The Washington Post

He has also had to modify some of the signs following complaints from people with impaired vision amid an online rumpus that his artfully blurred signs are not legible.

The New York Times - Arts

When the man emerged from the building with his arm around the neck of the woman he had taken hostage, he was wearing several handmade placards whose message was not legible on television.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The writing was on the wall for Cole, but it just wasn't legible enough for him to read.

Vice

It should be typed out, as it looks more professional than writing that isn't legible.

WikiHow

It may not be legible to you, but you — you lucrative mine of extractable and transferable data — are legible to it.

The New Yorker

Although many would complain that the reading experience isn't nearly as focused as single-purpose e-ink devices, and the text isn't as legible, these drawbacks haven't stopped users from cracking open PDFs, comics, long web articles, and so on tablets.

TechCrunch

Calligraphic work, as art, need not be legible in the usual sense of the word.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the quality of a scanned document, specify why it's "not legible" (e.g., "The scan is "not legible" due to low resolution").

Common error

Avoid using "not legible" when you mean "ineligible". "Not legible" refers to readability, while "ineligible" means not qualified or suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not legible" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, describing its quality of being unreadable or difficult to decipher. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing signatures, handwriting, signs, and documents.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

32%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not legible" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that cannot be easily read or understood. As Ludwig AI points out, it's widely used across various domains, including news, science, and academia. When using "not legible", consider specifying the reason for the lack of legibility and avoid confusing it with "ineligible". Alternatives like "illegible", "unreadable", or "indecipherable" can be used depending on the specific context. The phrase maintains a neutral tone, suitable for both formal and informal communication, making it a versatile and reliable choice in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

illegible

A single word alternative, often used to describe handwriting or text that is impossible to read.

unreadable

Similar to "illegible", but can also apply to text that is boring or difficult to understand.

difficult to read

A more general phrase indicating that something presents challenges to the reader.

indecipherable

Suggests that something cannot be understood, often due to being written in code or a foreign language.

unclear

Indicates a lack of clarity, which may or may not be related to legibility.

obscured

Implies that something is hidden or blocked from view, making it difficult to read.

faint

Suggests that something is difficult to see due to being light or faded.

blurred

Implies a lack of sharpness, making something difficult to read.

hard to make out

An idiomatic expression meaning difficult to see or understand.

poorly written

Focuses on the quality of the writing itself, rather than just the ability to read it.

FAQs

What does "not legible" mean?

"Not legible" means that something cannot be read easily or at all because the writing or printing is unclear.

What's a single-word synonym for "not legible"?

A single-word synonym for "not legible" is "illegible".

How can I use "not legible" in a sentence?

You can use "not legible" in a sentence like: "The handwriting was so messy that the address was "not legible"".

What are some alternatives to saying "not legible"?

Some alternatives to "not legible" include "unreadable", "indecipherable", or "unclear" depending on the context.