illegibly
|i-leg-i-bly|
/ɪˈlɛdʒəbli/
(illegible)
unreadable
Etymology
'illegibly' originates from English, specifically from the adjective 'illegible' plus the adverbial suffix '-ly', where 'illegible' comes from Latin 'illegibilis', in which the prefix 'in-/il-' meant 'not' and the root 'legere' meant 'to read.'
'illegible' changed from Middle English 'illegible' (borrowed via Old French 'ilegible' / 'illegible') and ultimately from Latin 'illegibilis', and adding the suffix '-ly' produced the modern adverb 'illegibly.'
Initially, it meant 'not able to be read' in the literal sense, and over time it has kept that core meaning while also extending to 'unclearly' or 'hard to make out' in broader contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adverb 1
in a way that is not legible; so that it cannot be read.
The prescription was written illegibly, so the pharmacist had to call the doctor to confirm the dosage.
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Adverb 2
in a way that is unclear or hard to make out (handwriting, printing, or sometimes speech).
Many of the signatures on the form were written illegibly, delaying the application process.
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Last updated: 2025/09/10 04:25