intelligible

adjective

in·​tel·​li·​gi·​ble in-ˈte-lə-jə-bəl 

1

: capable of being understood or comprehended

jargon intelligible only to the initiated

2

: apprehensible by the intellect only

intelligibility

in-ˌte-lə-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

intelligibleness

in-ˈte-lə-jə-bəl-nəs 

noun

intelligibly

in-ˈte-lə-jə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms of intelligible

• understandable
• accessible
• comprehensible

Examples of intelligible in a Sentence

the ability to make complex concepts intelligible to the average reader

Very little of the recording was intelligible.

Recent Examples on the Web

The dulcet tones of that thick Irish accent are perfectly intelligible over the phone, THR puts to him. —Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026

Tears, a visual representation of something internal, transform the scenario into a far more intelligible meme, or drama, or myth. —Literary Hub, 11 May 2026

With jackzebra’s seemingly gibberish flows and Bloodz Boi’s slightly more intelligible hooks, however, cutspace has finally found a duo that can hold their own on his beats. —James Gui, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2026

The remark was not, however, intelligible in the media room, where the ceremony was streamed live. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin intelligibilis, from intelligere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for intelligible

• eligible
• ineligible
• unintelligible

Kids Definition

intelligible

adjective

in·​tel·​li·​gi·​ble in-ˈtel-ə-jə-bəl 

: able to be understood

intelligibility

-ˌtel-ə-jə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

intelligibleness

-ˈtel-ə-jə-bəl-nəs 

noun

intelligibly

-blē 

adverb