Dictionary

illegible

adjective il·leg·i·ble \(ˌ)i(l)-ˈle-jə-bəl\

: not clear enough to read : not legible

Full Definition of ILLEGIBLE

: not legible : indecipherable <illegible writing>

— il·leg·i·bil·i·ty \-ˌle-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— il·leg·i·bly \-ˈle-jə-blē\ adverb

See illegible defined for English-language learners

See illegible defined for kids

1580

ILLEGIBLE Defined for Kids

adjective il·leg·i·ble \i-ˈle-jə-bəl\

: impossible or very hard to read <His handwriting is illegible.>

— il·leg·i·bly \-blē\ adverb

Next Word in the Dictionary: illegitimacyPrevious Word in the Dictionary: illegalizeAll Words Near: illegible

What made you want to look up illegible? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Put-downs with flair

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears