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Unintelligible: meaning, definitions and examples

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unintelligible

 

[ˌʌnɪnˈtelɪdʒɪb(ə)l ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

communication

Impossible to understand or comprehend.

Synonyms

cryptic, incomprehensible, opaque.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unintelligible

Use when referring to speech or writing that cannot be understood because it is unclear or confusing.

  • His handwriting was so messy that it was completely unintelligible.
  • The announcement over the loudspeakers was unintelligible due to the noise.
incomprehensible

Appropriate for describing something that is impossible to understand, often for complex, abstract, or sophisticated content.

  • The technical jargon in the manual was incomprehensible to me.
  • His explanation of quantum physics was simply incomprehensible.
cryptic

Suitable for descriptions, messages, or remarks that are intentionally mysterious or obscure, often requiring effort to understand.

  • She left a cryptic note on the table before disappearing.
  • His cryptic comments left everyone wondering what he really meant.
opaque

Best used for descriptions of things that block light or are metaphorically difficult to understand because they are dense or unclear.

  • The glass was frosted and completely opaque.
  • The professor's lecture was fascinating but incredibly opaque.

Examples of usage

  • His speech was so fast that it became unintelligible.
  • The technical jargon used in the manual was unintelligible to most users.
Context #2 | Adjective

sound

Not able to be understood because of being unclear or garbled.

Synonyms

garbled, indistinct, muffled.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unintelligible

Used when something cannot be understood at all due to unclear articulation or complexity. It often implies a complete lack of comprehension.

  • His handwriting was so bad that it was almost unintelligible.
  • The speaker's accent made the lecture unintelligible.
indistinct

Ideal for describing something that is not clear or sharply defined, making it hard to distinguish one part from another. Often used for describing sounds and images.

  • The photograph was blurry and indistinct.
  • The voices were indistinct in the noisy room.
muffled

Best used when sound is quietened, softened, or stifled, often due to physical obstruction. It implies that sound is present but not clear.

  • Through the thick walls, we heard muffled laughter.
  • His voice was muffled by the blanket.
garbled

Appropriate when something is mixed up, distorted, or confused to the point that it is hard to understand. Often used in relation to communication and information.

  • The email was garbled due to a technical glitch.
  • His story was so garbled that I couldn't follow it.

Examples of usage

  • The audio recording was so distorted that it became unintelligible.
  • The signal was so weak that the radio broadcast became unintelligible.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from Latin roots: 'un-' meaning 'not' and 'intelligibilis,' which means 'able to be understood.'
  • The first known use of the word appeared in the early 17th century, showing its long-standing presence in the English language.
  • Related terms include 'intelligible' which means something that can be easily understood.

Education

  • Educational settings sometimes struggle with unintelligible speech, particularly in children learning to communicate.
  • Teachers may develop specific strategies to help make unintelligible language clearer during lessons.
  • In language learning, the goal is often to move from unintelligible to intelligible speech as learners gain fluency.

Communication

  • Unintelligible speech can create barriers in communication, leading to misunderstandings.
  • Various factors such as heavy accents, mumbling, or unfamiliarity with a language can render speech unintelligible.
  • Effective communication skills focus on reducing unintelligibility to ensure messages are clear.

Psychology

  • Sometimes, people might mumble or speak unintelligibly because of anxiety or being nervous in social situations.
  • Unintelligibility can also impact social interactions, leading to feelings of frustration or isolation for some individuals.
  • Research in psychology looks at how clarity in speech affects social relationships and self-esteem.

Pop Culture

  • In films and television shows, characters might use unintelligible language for comedic effect, making them sound silly.
  • Certain music genres may employ unintelligible lyrics as a stylistic choice, focusing on rhythm and sound rather than meaning.
  • Classic cartoons often depict characters speaking unintelligibly when they're flustered or in comedic chaos.

Translations

Translations of the word "unintelligible" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ininteligível

🇮🇳 अस्पष्ट

🇩🇪 unverständlich

🇮🇩 tidak dapat dimengerti

🇺🇦 незрозумілий

🇵🇱 niezrozumiały

🇯🇵 理解できない

🇫🇷 inintelligible

🇪🇸 ininteligible

🇹🇷 anlaşılmaz

🇰🇷 이해할 수 없는

🇸🇦 غير مفهوم

🇨🇿 nesrozumitelný

🇸🇰 nezrozumiteľný

🇨🇳 难以理解的

🇸🇮 nerazumljiv

🇮🇸 óskiljanlegur

🇰🇿 түсініксіз

🇬🇪 გაუგებარი

🇦🇿 anlaşılmaz

🇲🇽 ininteligible

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,642, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.