Ilegible vs. Illegible — Which is Correct Spelling?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 1, 2024
"Ilegible" is an incorrect spelling. The correct spelling is "illegible," which refers to something that cannot be read or deciphered due to poor handwriting or print.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Ilegible or Illegible
How to spell Illegible?
Ilegible
Incorrect Spelling
Illegible
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Remember "illegible" starts with "ill" just like "illness."
Recall "legible," meaning readable, and then add the prefix "il-" for the opposite.
Visualize an "illegible" note you can't understand.
Connect "illegible" with "illegal," which also begins with "ill."
Think: "It looks ill, it's illegible."
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How Do You Spell Illegible Correctly?
Incorrect: Can you read this? It looks ilegible to me.
Correct: Can you read this? It looks illegible to me.
Incorrect: The handwriting was ilegible after the water damage.
Correct: The handwriting was illegible after the water damage.
Incorrect: His signature is always so ilegible.
Correct: His signature is always so illegible.
Incorrect: I found an old letter, but it's mostly ilegible.
Correct: I found an old letter, but it's mostly illegible.
Incorrect: The doctor's notes were ilegible, as usual.
Correct: The doctor's notes were illegible, as usual.
Illegible Definitions
Illegible pertains to characters or words not distinguishable.
The faded ink made the letter illegible.
Illegible describes text or handwriting that's hard to decipher or understand.
The ancient manuscript was nearly illegible.
Illegible means not clear enough to be read.
His handwriting was almost illegible.
Illegible is being not easily readable due to factors like bad handwriting.
The doctor's prescription was illegible.
Illegible signifies that which cannot be discerned or comprehended visually.
Water damage rendered the book's pages illegible.
Not legible or decipherable.
Not clear enough to be read; unreadable; not legible or decipherable.
Incapable of being read; not legible; as, illegible handwriting; an illegible inscription.
(of handwriting, print, etc.) not legible;
Illegible handwriting
Illegible Meaning in a Sentence
The ancient text is mostly illegible due to the fading of the ink.
The message was rendered illegible by the smudging of the ink.
Trying to read his handwriting is always a challenge because it's completely illegible.
The faded sign was almost illegible, but you could just make out the word "Welcome."
Her notes were so illegible that even she couldn't read them a week later.
After being left in the sun, the writing on the paper became illegible.
The manuscript's margins were filled with illegible comments.
She tried to decipher the illegible scribbles in the diary.
The prescription was illegible, so the pharmacist had to call the doctor.
The code was so poorly written that it was nearly illegible to other programmers.
The watermark made half the page illegible.
The old map's labels were illegible, making navigation difficult.
He wrote the address so quickly and illegibly that the letter was returned as undeliverable.
The directions were illegible, making the assembly of the furniture frustrating.
Her excitement made her handwriting nearly illegible.
The text was so small and illegible, reading it required a magnifying glass.
After spilling coffee on the contract, some of the clauses became illegible.
The graffiti on the wall was largely illegible.
Even though his email was typo-free, his attached handwritten notes were completely illegible.
Despite the letter's age, only a few words were illegible.
The stamp over the text made it illegible.
Years of handling had rendered the document illegible.
Illegible Idioms & Phrases
Illegible handwriting
Writing that is so unclear or hard to read that it cannot be understood.
Despite being a brilliant student, her essays were marked down for illegible handwriting.
Illegible scrawl
Writing that is messy and difficult to read.
His notes were nothing but an illegible scrawl that baffled everyone.
Illegible from wear
Text or writing that has become difficult to read due to damage or aging.
The old manuscript was illegible from wear, its letters faded and pages torn.
Illegible print
Text that is printed so poorly or small that it cannot be read.
The instructions were in such illegible print we couldn't figure out how to assemble the desk.
Render something illegible
To make text or writing so obscured that it cannot be read.
The coffee spill rendered the entire first paragraph illegible.
Completely illegible
Writing or text that is impossible to read.
After the flood, the family photos and letters were completely illegible.
Nearly illegible
Writing or text that can barely be read due to its poor quality.
The letter was nearly illegible, but with effort, they could make out most of the words.
Become illegible
To change from being readable to hard to read.
Over the years, the inscriptions on the stone had become illegible.
Illegible signature
A signature that cannot be read or understood.
The document was official, but the author's illegible signature left us guessing.
Common Curiosities
Which vowel is used before illegible?
"An" as in "an illegible script."
Why is it called illegible?
It derives from Latin "illegibilis," with "il-" meaning "not" and "legibilis" meaning "that can be read."
What is the root word of illegible?
The root word is "legible."
What is the pronunciation of illegible?
/ɪˈlɛdʒ.ə.bəl/
What is the singular form of illegible?
Illegible.
Which conjunction is used with illegible?
Any conjunction can be used, depending on the context.
What is the verb form of illegible?
The related verb is "to read," but "illegible" itself doesn't have a direct verb form.
What is the plural form of illegible?
Illegibles, but it's rarely used in plural form.
Is illegible a countable noun?
No, "illegible" is an adjective.
Which preposition is used with illegible?
"In" as in "illegible in parts."
Which article is used with illegible?
Both "a" and "the" can be used, depending on context.
Is illegible an adverb?
No.
Is illegible an abstract noun?
No.
Is the illegible term a metaphor?
No, but it can be used metaphorically in some contexts.
Is the word illegible imperative?
No.
What is the second form of illegible?
Not applicable.
How many syllables are in illegible?
Four.
Is illegible a vowel or consonant?
"Illegible" is a word, containing both vowels and consonants.
What is a stressed syllable in illegible?
"leg."
What part of speech is illegible?
Adjective.
What is another term for illegible?
Unreadable.
Which determiner is used with illegible?
"This," "that," depending on context.
Is illegible a noun or adjective?
Adjective.
How do we divide illegible into syllables?
il-leg-i-ble.
Is illegible a negative or positive word?
Generally negative, as it indicates a lack of clarity.
Is illegible a collective noun?
No.
What is the opposite of illegible?
Legible.
What is the first form of illegible?
Not applicable; "illegible" is an adjective.
What is the third form of illegible?
Not applicable.
How is illegible used in a sentence?
"The hastily written note was almost illegible."
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
