Illegible

Illegible describes handwriting or printed text that is difficult or impossible to read. It can also refer to obscured or unclear signs, symbols, or any form of communication that's indecipherable due to poor execution, damage, or some other impairment. The quality of illegibility directly hinders the intended transfer of information, creating a barrier to comprehension. Often resulting from careless handwriting, blurred printing, or faded markings, illegibility frustrates attempts at understanding and forces readers to struggle with ambiguous representations. The extent of illegibility can range from minor difficulties in deciphering specific letters or words to complete unintelligibility, where the overall meaning is lost.

Illegible meaning with examples

• The doctor's prescription was illegible, causing the pharmacist to contact the office for clarification, delaying the patient's medication. Despite the repeated attempts the note could not be made out; the doctor's writing caused endless problems, causing the patient to have to wait and wonder what medicine was actually for.
• The ancient scroll contained illegible passages due to the fading of the ink and damage from the passage of time. The historian had to use advanced techniques in order to study the scroll with care, and even then there was the possibility it was lost to all.
• The child's handwriting was illegible, making it challenging for the teacher to grade the essay and assess their understanding. The teacher asked the child to write out each section of the essay in a more clear format, in the hope this would solve the issues and that they could understand what the child wrote.
• Due to the rain, the street sign's lettering became illegible, confusing drivers trying to navigate the unfamiliar roads. The driver was frustrated and struggled to work out which road he was supposed to take, it took some time but eventually he worked it out after much confusion.