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.
Unfortunately, most of the candies in my box were illegible. Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Feb. 2025 The thirty-thousand-year-old cave paintings at Chauvet–Pont d’Arc are ghostly images from the abyss of deep time whose purpose is illegible to us. Donna Tartt, Harper's Magazine, 2 July 2024 Giveaway Entities are not responsible for lost, misdirected, illegible, damaged or undelivered Entries. USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025 The Farsi text is illegible to most viewers, and even those who can read the language would not know the real meaning of the poems. Max Norman, ARTnews.com, 9 Dec. 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 20 Feb. 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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