illegible

adjective

il·​leg·​i·​ble (ˌ)i(l)-ˈle-jə-bəl How to pronounce illegible (audio)
: not legible : indecipherable
illegible writing
illegibly adverb

Examples of illegible in a Sentence

illegible signatures on the petition will be disregarded
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As for the mail, not only was there the sheer volume to contend with, but some of the parcels had become moldy or eaten by vermin, while others had illegible addresses. Emily Krauser, People.com, 22 Dec. 2024 No illegible, incomplete, forged or altered entries will be accepted. Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 20 Dec. 2024 Other scholars examining the inscription considered this uncertain, concluding that the inscription could not be read and was essentially illegible. Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024 Photos from the scene show the tombstone broken into multiple pieces, its iconic inscription now illegible. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for illegible 

Word History

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of illegible was in 1580

Dictionary Entries Near illegible

Cite this Entry

“Illegible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illegible. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

illegible

adjective
il·​leg·​i·​ble (ˈ)il-ˈ(l)ej-ə-bəl How to pronounce illegible (audio)
: impossible or very hard to read
illegible handwriting
illegibly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on illegible

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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