illegible

/i'ledʤəbl/

Thân thiện

The teacher points at the student's illegible handwriting on the chalkboard.

Definition

Adjective 1. Not legible; impossible or very difficult to read: Used to describe handwriting, print, or other written text that is unclear, messy, or faded to the point where the letters or words cannot be deciphered. Example: The doctor's prescription was completely illegible.

Usage

The adjective illegible is used to describe the quality of written or printed text. It is the direct opposite of "legible." It is typically used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like "is" or "was").

Examples

• The ancient manuscript was damaged, making the ink illegible.
• She received a note with illegible scribbles instead of a signature.
• Due to a printer error, the final paragraph of the document was illegible.

Advanced Usage

• "rendered illegible": Made impossible to read, often by an external factor.

Variants and Related Words

• Illegibly (adverb): In a way that cannot be read.
• Illegibility (noun): The state or quality of being impossible to read.

Synonyms

• Unreadable: Cannot be read or understood. (Often used interchangeably with "illegible" for text, but can also apply to content that is too complex.)
• Indecipherable: Impossible to read or interpret.
• Scrawled: Written hastily and carelessly, often leading to being illegible.
• Faint: (Of writing) Light and hard to see, potentially becoming illegible.

Antonyms

• Legible: (Of text) Clear enough to be read easily.
• Readable: Easy or pleasant to read; legible.
• Decipherable: Able to be read or understood.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. (of handwriting, print, etc.) not legible
   • illegible handwriting