What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
illegible
Example
The note was so badly written that it was completely illegible. [illegible: adjective]
Example
The ink had smudged, making the words illegible. [illegible: adjective]
unintelligible
Example
The speaker's heavy accent made his words unintelligible. [unintelligible: adjective]
Example
The message was garbled and unintelligible, leaving the recipient confused. [unintelligible: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unintelligible is more commonly used than illegible in technical or academic contexts, while illegible is more commonly used in everyday situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between illegible and unintelligible?
Both illegible and unintelligible are formal words that are appropriate for use in academic or technical writing. However, unintelligible may be considered more technical or specialized than illegible.
