illegible

1 of 2

adjective

il·​leg·​i·​ble (ˌ)i(l)-ˈle-jə-bəl 

: not legible : indecipherable

illegible writing

illegibility

(ˌ)i(l)-ˌle-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

illegibly

(ˌ)i(l)-ˈle-jə-blē 

adverb

illegibility

2 of 2

noun

il·​legibility (¦)i(l) 

ə+

: the quality or state of being illegible

Synonyms of illegible

Adjective

• unreadable
• obscure
• indecipherable
• faint
• undecipherable
• unclear

Examples of illegible in a Sentence

Adjective

illegible signatures on the petition will be disregarded

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The latter announcement features photos of Bryan wearing the shirt, although the message is illegible and there was no mention of it in the post; however, it is referenced in the majority of the comments. — Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026

McNeely’s riff shows a toe (flexed, as ever) hoisted from the ceiling, the rest of the figure an illegible mass of guts and bones. — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 18 Sep. 2026

But making jerseys with illegible numbers was a failure of the highest order. — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

On both, as ever, his illegible mumble suggests shame in his own voice, or even guilt about being here at all (some of his enduring illnesses relate to PTSD from cradling a dying friend in his lap after a gang attack as a teen). — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1580, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for illegible

• legible

Kids Definition

illegible

adjective

il·​leg·​i·​ble (ˈ)il-ˈ(l)ej-ə-bəl 

: impossible or very hard to read

illegible handwriting

illegibly

(ˈ)il-ˈ(l)ej-ə-blē 

adverb