illegible meaning and examples

Meaning

Illegible means not clear enough to be read. It is used when handwriting, text, or print is so unclear, messy, or faded that people cannot read it easily.

Grammar and Usage

• Part of speech: Adjective

• Typical structure:

  • illegible handwriting / signature / note
  • be illegible to someone
  • make something illegible

Example pattern:

• The ink has faded, and the words are illegible.
• His handwriting is almost illegible.

Common Phrases

• illegible handwriting – writing that is hard to read
• illegible signature – a signature that cannot be deciphered
• nearly illegible text – writing that is barely readable

Collocations

Examples

1. His handwriting was so illegible that no one could understand the message.
2. The old document became illegible due to water damage.
3. Please rewrite this; your notes are almost illegible.
4. The fax copy was blurry and illegible.
5. She signed her name with an illegible scrawl.
6. The teacher couldn’t read the essay because the text was illegible.
7. The doctor’s prescription was completely illegible to the pharmacist.

Synonyms or Related

• unreadable
• indecipherable
• unclear
• obscure

Antonym

• legible
• readable