Definitions
- Describing handwriting or text that is difficult or impossible to read due to poor penmanship or smudging. - Referring to printed material that is faded, blurred, or distorted, making it hard to decipher. - Talking about text that is written in a foreign language or an unfamiliar script, making it hard to understand.
- Describing text or writing that is impossible to understand or decode, even with effort or expertise. - Referring to symbols, codes, or languages that are unknown or unintelligible. - Talking about speech or communication that is garbled, mumbled, or slurred, making it hard to comprehend.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe text or writing that is difficult or impossible to read or understand.
- 2Both words suggest a lack of clarity or legibility.
- 3Both words can be used to describe handwriting, printed material, or speech.
What is the difference?
- 1Scope: Illegible refers to text that is hard to read due to poor quality, while indecipherable refers to text that is impossible to understand or decode.
- 2Cause: Illegible is caused by poor penmanship, smudging, fading, or distortion, while indecipherable is caused by unfamiliarity, complexity, or obscurity.
- 3Effort: Illegible may be readable with effort or expertise, while indecipherable is impossible to understand even with effort.
- 4Context: Illegible is often used to describe everyday writing or text, while indecipherable is more commonly used in technical or specialized contexts.
- 5Connotation: Illegible suggests a lack of clarity or legibility, while indecipherable implies a complete inability to understand or decode.
Remember this!
Illegible and indecipherable are synonyms that describe text or writing that is difficult or impossible to read or understand. However, the difference between them lies in their scope, cause, effort required, context, and connotation. Illegible refers to text that is hard to read due to poor quality, while indecipherable refers to text that is impossible to understand or decode due to unfamiliarity, complexity, or obscurity.
