Definitions
- Describing handwriting or text that is difficult or impossible to read due to poor quality, smudging, or other factors. - Referring to a document or text that is faded, damaged, or otherwise degraded, making it hard to decipher. - Talking about written material that is in a foreign language or script that the reader cannot understand.
- Describing speech or language that is difficult or impossible to understand due to poor pronunciation, accent, or enunciation. - Referring to a message or communication that is unclear, confusing, or incomprehensible. - Talking about technical jargon or specialized language that is not easily understood by non-experts.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe difficulty in understanding or comprehending something.
- 2Both words can refer to written or spoken communication.
- 3Both words imply a lack of clarity or legibility.
- 4Both words can be used to describe technical or specialized language that is hard to understand.
What is the difference?
- 1Scope: Illegible refers specifically to written text that is hard to read, while unintelligible applies more broadly to any form of communication that is hard to understand.
- 2Cause: Illegible implies that the difficulty in reading is due to physical factors such as poor handwriting or smudging, while unintelligible suggests that the problem lies with the content or delivery of the communication.
- 3Type of communication: Illegible applies only to written text, while unintelligible can refer to both written and spoken communication.
- 4Degree of difficulty: Illegible suggests a lower degree of difficulty in understanding than unintelligible, which implies a complete lack of comprehension.
- 5Context: Illegible is more commonly used in everyday situations, while unintelligible is often used in technical or academic contexts.
Remember this!
Illegible and unintelligible are synonyms that describe difficulty in understanding or comprehending something. However, illegible specifically refers to written text that is hard to read due to physical factors, while unintelligible applies more broadly to any form of communication that is hard to understand due to content or delivery issues.
