unreadable

adjective

un·​read·​able ˌən-ˈrē-də-bəl How to pronounce unreadable (audio)
: not readable: such as
a
: not decipherable : illegible
unreadable handwriting
b
: impossible to read and understand : incomprehensible
… a flawed, unreadable, misleading bill that garnered support based on propaganda and clever—but false—talking points.Marilyn M. Singleton
c
: impossible to interpret
The expression on her face was unreadable.
d
: not enjoyable or interesting enough to engage the reader
an unreadable novel

Examples of unreadable in a Sentence

the old book contains an inscription, but the handwriting is cramped and unreadable
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The goal was to leave it unreadable until an authority could rule on whether to keep it sealed during the complaint process, according to a footnote in the complaint. Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 11 July 2025 Price said ballots needing to be remade could include overseas ballots that aren't submitted on ballots readable to the county's voting equipment, absentee ballots that may have been folded for mailing or ballots that are unreadable by the voting machines for other reasons. Tom Sissom, Arkansas Online, 26 June 2025 These allergens were not properly identified on the packaging due to print quality issues that rendered ingredient lists and allergen warnings either unreadable or missing. Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025 Luckily, Marybeth knows just how to do that, and before long Affleck’s Christian Wolff has wheeled into town in his trailer, his face unreadable but his spirit somehow willing to help. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unreadable

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1655, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unreadable was circa 1655

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Cite this Entry

“Unreadable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unreadable. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

unreadable

adjective
un·​read·​able
ˌən-ˈrēd-ə-bəl,
ˈən-
1
: too dull or unattractive to read
a long, unreadable essay
2
: illegible
unreadable handwriting

More from Merriam-Webster on unreadable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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