legible
Americanadjective
-
capable of being read or deciphered, especially with ease, as writing or printing; easily readable.
-
capable of being discerned or distinguished.
Anger was legible in his looks and behavior.
adjective
-
(of handwriting, print, etc) able to be read or deciphered
-
able to be discovered; discernible
Other Word Forms
- legibility noun
- legibly adverb
- unlegible adjective
Etymology
Origin of legible
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin legibilis; equivalent to leg(ere) “to read” + -ibilis -ible
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Its opening sequence is both graceful and conspicuous; its exposition is entirely legible, yet so very charming that its plainness doesn’t matter one bit.
From Salon • Feb. 28, 2026
A "for sale" sign is barely legible at the top, its letters faded by sun and salt air.
From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026
The figures’ gestures and facial expressions are instantly legible.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025
"It shook the conscience of this court as not even a word or a letter was legible," he wrote in the order.
From BBC • Sep. 30, 2025
The letter, written in a pleasingly legible script, was dated April 28, 1958, at which time the recipient had been imprisoned for approximately two years: Dearest Bro.
From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
