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.
Some of the headstones have legible names, others are illegible or are just horizontal blocks indicating a grave. Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2025 In his debut novel, Ocean Vuong took pains to be illegible. Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 6 May 2025 Inscriptions on the walls of the entrance reference the goddesses Isis and Nephthys, but the name of the king buried within the tomb is illegible. Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2025 Also that thing where sometimes if text is illegible a model might just invent the text. Ars Technica, 11 Mar. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Illegible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illegible. Accessed 18 May. 2025.

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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