unreadable

adjective

un·​read·​able ˌən-ˈrē-də-bəl How to pronounce unreadable (audio)
: not readable: such as
a
: not decipherable : illegible
unreadable handwriting
b
: impossible to read and understand : incomprehensible
… a flawed, unreadable, misleading bill that garnered support based on propaganda and clever—but false—talking points.Marilyn M. Singleton
c
: impossible to interpret
The expression on her face was unreadable.
d
: not enjoyable or interesting enough to engage the reader
an unreadable novel

Examples of unreadable in a Sentence

the old book contains an inscription, but the handwriting is cramped and unreadable
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The collection of papyri—from which about 1,800 mostly unreadable scrolls and fragments have so far been extracted—was interred under 60 feet of material deposited by pyroclastic flows, at temperatures greater than 900 degrees Fahrenheit, during the same eruption that destroyed Pompeii in C.E. 79. Tomas Weber, Scientific American, 19 Mar. 2024 In January, the company recalled 2.2 million vehicles due to unreadable warning light lettering. Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 3 Oct. 2024 At its core, end-to-end encryption works by scrambling communications content into an unreadable format. Lars Daniel, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024 The gun was loaded with 11 rounds, according to court filings, and the serial number on the rifle was obliterated and unreadable. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 23 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unreadable 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1655, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unreadable was circa 1655

Dictionary Entries Near unreadable

Cite this Entry

“Unreadable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unreadable. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

unreadable

adjective
un·​read·​able
ˌən-ˈrēd-ə-bəl,
ˈən-
1
: too dull or unattractive to read
a long, unreadable essay
2
: illegible
unreadable handwriting

More from Merriam-Webster on unreadable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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