legible

[ lej-uh-buhl ]

adjective

1. capable of being read or deciphered, especially with ease, as writing or printing; easily readable.
2. capable of being discerned or distinguished:

   Anger was legible in his looks and behavior.

legible

/ ˈlɛdʒəbəl /

adjective

1. (of handwriting, print, etc) able to be read or deciphered
2. able to be discovered; discernible

Derived Forms

• ˌlegiˈbility, noun
• ˈlegibly, adverb

Other Words From

• leg·i·bly adverb
• un·leg·i·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of legible¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin legibilis; equivalent to leg(ere) “to read” + -ibilis -ible

Word History and Origins

Origin of legible¹

C14: from Late Latin legibilis, from Latin legere to read

Example Sentences

“It kind of felt almost spiritual, like the way that it survived eight years and was still legible and my hair tie was still on the note,” she told the outlet.

From Los Angeles Times

Sky said it believed the presentation of the ad was clear, legible and immediately visible.

From BBC

If Cohen seems a little nuts now, it's a legible reaction to having spent years in an alternative reality created inside Trump's orbit.

From Salon

Milton crossed through the passage with a single, light diagonal line so the words beneath remain fully legible.

From Science Daily

In Act 1, we see characters making concrete decisions with easily legible cause-and-effect outcomes.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• coherent
• distinct
• intelligible
• lucid
• neat
• readable
• understandable