Definitions
- Referring to handwriting or text that is difficult or impossible to read. - Describing a document or text that is unclear or indecipherable due to poor quality or damage. - Talking about a message or communication that is incomprehensible or unintelligible.
- Referring to something that is unclear, vague, or ambiguous. - Describing a person or thing that is unknown or unfamiliar. - Talking about a concept or idea that is difficult to understand or explain.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe a lack of clarity or understanding.
- 2Both can refer to written or spoken communication.
- 3Both can be used to describe a lack of knowledge or familiarity with a subject.
- 4Both can be used to describe something that is difficult to comprehend or interpret.
- 5Both can be used to describe a lack of visibility or prominence.
What is the difference?
- 1Type of difficulty: Illegibility refers specifically to difficulty in reading or deciphering text, while obscurity refers to a more general lack of clarity or understanding.
- 2Cause of difficulty: Illegibility is caused by poor handwriting, low-quality copies, or other physical factors, while obscurity can be caused by complexity, ambiguity, or unfamiliarity.
- 3Scope of difficulty: Illegibility is limited to the text or handwriting itself, while obscurity can refer to broader concepts or ideas.
- 4Subjectivity: Illegibility is more objective and measurable, while obscurity can be more subjective and open to interpretation.
- 5Connotation: Illegibility has a more technical or practical connotation, while obscurity can have a more literary or philosophical connotation.
Remember this!
Illegibility and obscurity are both words used to describe a lack of clarity or understanding. However, illegibility specifically refers to difficulty in reading or deciphering text, while obscurity refers to a more general lack of clarity or understanding that can be caused by complexity, ambiguity, or unfamiliarity.
