What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
illegible
Example
The doctor's prescription was illegible, so I couldn't make out the dosage. [illegible: adjective]
Example
The old letter was so faded and smudged that it was completely illegible. [illegible: adjective]
unreadable
Example
The font on this website is so small and blurry that it's unreadable. [unreadable: adjective]
Example
The corrupted file was unreadable, so I couldn't retrieve the data. [unreadable: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Illegible is more commonly used than unreadable in everyday language, especially when referring to handwriting or printed text. Unreadable is more often used in technical contexts, such as computing or digital media.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between illegible and unreadable?
Both illegible and unreadable are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
