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

Even Karp’s more intelligible arguments are quickly trampled over as additional intrusive thoughts took the wheel. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 1 July 2026

Louden points out, for example, that Swedish and Norwegian are highly mutually intelligible, but neither is considered a dialect of the other, or of a parent language, primarily because each is associated with a separate nation-state. — Eythana Miller, The Dial, 23 June 2026

The Aztecs had just two Americans on their roster, so what Caligiuri heard on the sideline was a mix of Spanish, Serbian and heavily accented — and barely intelligible — English from players born in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. — Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026

The Nicene Creed still had a rhapsodic, mesmerizing quality; the Lord’s Prayer would have been intelligible to anyone familiar with the English or Latin versions. — Katie Thornton, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 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