The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook

unintelligible

IPA

Dictionary definition of unintelligible

Difficult or impossible to understand, typically because it is poorly expressed or spoken.
"He spoke with an unintelligible mumble that no one could understand."

Detailed meaning of unintelligible

It implies a lack of clarity, coherence, or comprehensibility. It also can be used for something that is expressed in a language that the listener or reader does not understand.

Unintelligible speech or writing can be caused by a variety of factors, such as poor articulation, a strong accent, or a lack of education or vocabulary. It can also be caused by factors such as noise, distance, or a medical condition that affects the speaker's ability to communicate clearly.

Being unintelligible can be seen as a negative trait, as it implies a lack of communication skills or a lack of effort to communicate clearly. It can also be seen as a sign of poor education, or a lack of concern for the listener's understanding. In some cases, it can be seen as a sign of a medical condition that affects the speaker's ability to communicate clearly.

Unintelligible speech or writing can be a major barrier to communication, making it difficult or impossible for others to understand the speaker's message, and can lead to confusion, frustration, and misunderstandings.

Example sentences containing unintelligible

1. She found the technical terms in the report to be unintelligible.
2. The audio was unintelligible and it was difficult to understand what was being said.
3. He mumbled and his words were unintelligible.
4. She found the instructions in the manual to be unintelligible.
5. The recording was so poor that the speech was unintelligible.
6. He spoke too fast and his words were unintelligible.

History and etymology of unintelligible

The adjective 'unintelligible' has a clear etymology that reflects its meaning. It is formed from two Latin components: 'un,' which signifies 'not,' and 'intelligibilis,' meaning 'able to be understood' or 'clearly expressed.' When combined, 'unintelligible' conveys the idea of something that is not able to be understood or lacks clarity in its expression, typically due to poor articulation or presentation. This etymology underscores the concept of the word, highlighting the difficulty or impossibility of comprehending something that is poorly expressed or spoken.

Quiz: Find the meaning of unintelligible

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Further usage examples of unintelligible

1. She found the complex formulas in the math book to be unintelligible.
2. The handwriting was so bad that the note was unintelligible.
3. He spoke in a dialect that was unintelligible to most people.
4. She found the legal jargon in the contract to be unintelligible.
5. The instructions were unintelligible and I couldn't figure out how to use the product.
6. The professor's handwriting on the whiteboard was so messy that it rendered the equations unintelligible.
7. His mumbling and low volume made his speech nearly unintelligible to the audience.
8. The ancient manuscript's text, written in an obscure script, was mostly unintelligible without translation.
9. The toddler's adorable babbling was charming but ultimately unintelligible to adults.
10. The interference and static on the radio broadcast made the announcer's voice unintelligible.
11. The heavy accent of the tour guide made some of his explanations unintelligible to the tourists.
12. The encrypted message was deliberately designed to be unintelligible without the decryption key.
13. The scrawled notes in the margin of the book were so messy that they became unintelligible.
14. The technical manual was filled with complex terms and jargon, rendering it unintelligible to most readers.
15. The garbled message over the intercom system was completely unintelligible to the passengers.
16. Her rapid and hurried speech, combined with her thick accent, made her words nearly unintelligible.
17. The ancient scroll had sections where the text had faded, making them unintelligible.
18. The damaged audio recording had significant portions that were completely unintelligible.
19. The foreign language, which I had never encountered before, sounded utterly unintelligible.
20. The doctor's rushed explanation of the diagnosis was so unintelligible that I needed clarification.
21. The blurred text in the centuries-old book was mostly unintelligible due to fading and wear.
22. The rapid-fire dialogue in the film, with characters talking over each other, was often unintelligible.
23. The crossword puzzle in the newspaper had some clues that were so cryptic as to be unintelligible.
24. The slurred speech of the heavily intoxicated person was almost completely unintelligible to others.
25. The handwritten prescription from the doctor was so illegible that it appeared unintelligible to the pharmacist.