illegible

1 of 2

adjective

il·​leg·​i·​ble (ˌ)i(l)-ˈle-jə-bəl How to pronounce illegible (audio)
Synonyms of illegible
: not legible : indecipherable
illegible writing
illegibility
(ˌ)i(l)-ˌle-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce illegible (audio)
noun
illegibly
(ˌ)i(l)-ˈle-jə-blē How to pronounce illegible (audio)
adverb

illegibility

2 of 2

noun

il·​legibility (¦)i(l) How to pronounce illegibility (audio)
ə+
: the quality or state of being illegible

Synonyms of illegible

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Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of illegible in a Sentence

Adjective 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.
Adjective
On both, as ever, his illegible mumble suggests shame in his own voice, or even guilt about being here at all (some of his enduring illnesses relate to PTSD from cradling a dying friend in his lap after a gang attack as a teen). — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026 But, outside of clothing items and a set of denture plates inscribed with a partially illegible set of numbers, there was too little evidence recovered from the scene to generate leads in the case. — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 29 July 2026 On many, the names, birth years and death years are illegible. — Kamal Morgan. Produced With Ai Assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 June 2026 Federal grievances may be thrown out for being trivial, illegible or not pertaining to an issue that can be addressed through the bureau's system. — Christie Thompson, NPR, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for illegible

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1580, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of illegible was in 1580

Rhymes for illegible

See All Rhymes for illegible

Browse Nearby Words

illegibility
illegible
illegitimacy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Illegible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illegible. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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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
(ˈ)il-ˈ(l)ej-ə-blē How to pronounce illegible (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on illegible

Nglish: Translation of illegible for Spanish Speakers

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