legible

adjective

leg·​i·​ble ˈle-jə-bəl 

1

: capable of being read or deciphered : plain

legible handwriting

2

: capable of being discovered or understood

… murder sweltered in his heart and was legible upon his face.

—Thomas Wolfe

legibility

ˌle-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

legibly

ˈle-jə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms of legible

• understandable
• accessible

Examples of legible in a Sentence

The document is not legible.

an anxious mood that was clearly legible upon her face

Recent Examples on the Web

The actors’ expressions aren’t wholly legible through the glass and the falling dusk, but the air around them is thick with curdling resentment and sudden grief. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026

On-premise, the same dynamic plays out, where cocktails are designed to be instantly legible and wine lists remain technical and often devoid of descriptors. —Erica Duecy, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

However, your Sunday crossword puzzle page is not legible. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026

This was unfortunate, Aram said, because the argument for supporting his people should be legible to the left. —Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin legibilis, from Latin legere to read

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for legible

• illegible

Kids Definition

legible

adjective

leg·​i·​ble ˈlej-ə-bəl 

: capable of being read : plain

legible handwriting

legibility

ˌlej-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

legibly

ˈlej-ə-blē 

adverb