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Indecipherable: meaning, definitions and examples

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indecipherable

 

[ ɪnˈdɪˌsaɪfərəbəl ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

lack of clarity

Indecipherable refers to something that cannot be read or understood. It is often used to describe writing, speech, or signals that are so unclear or confused that they defy interpretation.

Synonyms

cryptic, incomprehensible, mysterious, obscure, unreadable

Examples of usage

  • The note was indecipherable, filled with scribbles.
  • Her handwriting was so messy it was indecipherable.
  • The ancient script remained indecipherable to researchers.
  • In the dark, the message appeared indecipherable.
  • The audio recording was indecipherable due to static.

Etymology

The word 'indecipherable' is derived from the prefix 'in-' meaning 'not' and 'decipherable', which comes from the verb 'decipher'. The term 'decipher' has its origins in Old French 'deciffrer', itself from the Latin 'decifrare', meaning 'to decode or interpret'. The combination of these elements emphasizes the inability to decode or interpret something effectively. The usage of 'indecipherable' can be traced back to the early 19th century, where it started to appear in various texts to describe complex matters, including literature, codes, and various forms of communication. Over time, it has retained its original meaning, being used frequently in contexts relating to confusion and lack of clarity.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,301 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.