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Definition of illegibility

illegibility

/ɪˌlɛdʒ.əˈbɪl.ə.ti/
il · leg · i · bil · i · ty
Adverb:illegibly
•
Plural:illegibilities
•
Adjective:illegible
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illegibility Lexical Profile

illegibility Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The quality or state of being unclear, faded, or poorly written enough to be impossible or very difficult to read.

Example

"The historical manuscript's extreme illegibility required archivists to use ultraviolet imaging to decipher the faded ink."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for illegibility

• Rhymes for illegibility

• Nearby Words

illegalization
illegalize
illegally
illegibility
illegible
illegibly
illegitimacy

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the mid-17th century from the adjective 'illegible' plus the suffix '-ity', ultimately derived from Late Latin illegibilis ('not able to be read'), from legere ('to read').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Illegibility. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/illegibility
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