unreadable

adjective

un·​read·​able ˌən-ˈrē-də-bəl 

: 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

Synonyms

• illegible
• indecipherable
• undecipherable

Examples of unreadable in a Sentence

the old book contains an inscription, but the handwriting is cramped and unreadable

Recent Examples on the Web

Remember, the State gave De Luca, Melissa's trial attorney, a disk containing the dark, unreadable X-rays before trial. —Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2025

In a torrent of expletives and all caps, the chat lauds his accomplishment at an unreadable clip. —Patricia Hernandez, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2025

And according to Melissa's attorney, Paul De Luca, the X-rays the prosecution had provided before the trial were unreadable. —Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2025

But Oscar-winning producer Dede Gardner told them the script was unreadable in that format. —Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1655, in the meaning defined above

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