What does illegibly mean?
Illegibly is an adverb meaning in a way that cannot be read or deciphered clearly. It is most often used to describe handwriting, signatures, notes, or other written material whose letters are difficult to distinguish. The word can suggest that the writing is cramped, hurried, poorly formed, faded, or otherwise unclear, but it does not necessarily imply poor quality or carelessness. In “illegibly written,” for example, the focus is on the reader’s inability to interpret the text rather than on the writer’s intent. The adverb is formed from the adjective illegible, whose Latin-derived form combines a negative prefix with legere, “to read.” Illegibly is less common than the adjective illegible, but it is useful when describing the manner of writing rather than the writing itself. Its standard counterparts are legibly and readably.
adverbIn a way that cannot be read or deciphered clearly, especially because the writing is too small, unclear, or badly formed.
- In a manner that cannot be read or understood clearly.
"The address had been written so illegibly that the postman returned the letter."
"His signature was almost illegibly scrawled at the bottom of the form."
"The old manuscript contains several passages that are illegibly faded."
The word contains a small paradox in its meaning: what is illegible cannot be read, so the very act of trying to decipher it becomes part of the challenge.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does illegibly come from?
Illegibly is an English adverb formed from the adjective illegible. Illegible comes through Latin from the negative prefix il- and legere, meaning “to read,” while the related English words legible and legibility continue the same Latin root. The family also includes illegibility, the noun corresponding to illegible.
Related word forms
How illegibly is actually used
The word is neutral in register and is used especially of handwriting, signatures, or written documents. It emphasizes difficulty of reading rather than illegality or lack of permission.
Easily confused with illegibly
Illegible is an adjective describing writing or text that cannot be read, whereas illegibly is an adverb describing the manner in which something is written.
Illegibly means unreadably or undecipherably, while illegally means in violation of the law.