unreadable

Everyday

1. Unreadable writing is so messy, faded or small that you cannot read it. tree →
2. An unreadable book or text is so boring or badly written that it is hard to keep reading. tree →
3. An unreadable face shows no feeling, so you cannot tell what the person thinks. tree →
4. (computers) An unreadable file or disk cannot be opened by the computer. tree →

In the lessons

Used about handwriting, old letters, books, faces in stories and broken files. Phrases: «almost unreadable», «an unreadable expression».

Examples

• The rain made the note unreadable. tree →
• The doctor's handwriting was unreadable. tree →
• The old gravestone was worn and unreadable. tree →
• The book was so dull it was unreadable. tree →
• Her face was unreadable as she opened the letter. tree →
• The memory stick was damaged and the files were unreadable. tree →

Note

Opposite: «readable». Similar to «illegible», which is only about handwriting or print. An unreadable face is a calm, blank face: it does not mean the person is angry.