indecipherable

/ˌɪndɪˈsaɪfrəbl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪndɪˈsaɪfrəbl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌin-di-ˈsī-f(ə-)rə-bəl/ (ame, mw)

indecipherable — adjective

  • indecipherablepositive
  • more indecipherablecomparative
  • most indecipherablesuperlative

1. so unclear, faint, or strangely written that nobody can work out what the letter

1.形容詞C1
釋義

so unclear, faint, or strangely written that nobody can work out what the letters, marks, or message are meant to say.

例句

The doctor's handwriting on the prescription was completely indecipherable to Amihan.

common subject: handwriting / signature / scribble

Rain had soaked the cardboard sign, leaving the painted message indecipherable.

passive scene: a message rendered unreadable by damage

同義詞
  • illegible

    narrower — specifically about handwriting that is hard to read

  • unreadable

    everyday word; can mean physically or stylistically hard to read

  • unintelligible

    wider — covers speech, writing, or behaviour that makes no sense

反義詞
  • legible

    clear enough to be read

  • clear

    general antonym for written or visual marks

用法筆記

Often paired with words for written marks (handwriting, signature, script, code, inscription). Frequently strengthened by 'almost', 'completely', 'virtually', or 'totally'.

常見錯誤

❌The lecture was indecipherable.
✅The lecture was incomprehensible.
💡'indecipherable' is mostly for written marks or codes, not spoken language.