Illegible

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Illegible

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

adjective

Pronunciation

ih-LEJ-ih-bul  /ɪˈlɛdʒɪb(ə)l/

Definition

Not clear enough to be read; impossible or very difficult to read because of poor handwriting, faded print, or damage; in a broader sense, impossible to interpret or understand.

Plain meaning

Illegible means impossible to read — writing so messy, faded, or damaged that you can't make out the words. A doctor's illegible prescription is the classic example. Illegible is the opposite of legible. The word can also be used figuratively for anything that cannot be interpreted or deciphered — an illegible expression on someone's face.

Register

Neutral. Illegible is used in everyday contexts (illegible handwriting, illegible prescriptions), professional contexts (medical, legal, archival), and literary-theoretical contexts. The related nouns are illegibility (the state) and (rarely) illegibleness.