What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
indecipherable
Example
The doctor's prescription was indecipherable, and I couldn't tell what medication to take. [indecipherable: adjective]
Example
The audio recording was indecipherable due to the poor quality of the sound. [indecipherable: adjective]
unreadable
Example
The font used in the book was unreadable, and I had to strain my eyes to make out the words. [unreadable: adjective]
Example
The note was unreadable because the ink had smudged, making the words blurry. [unreadable: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unreadable is more commonly used than indecipherable in everyday language. Unreadable is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while indecipherable is less common and refers to more specific situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between indecipherable and unreadable?
Both indecipherable and unreadable are formal words that are typically used in professional or academic contexts. However, indecipherable may be considered more technical or specialized than unreadable.