legible

1 of 2

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

legibility

2 of 2

noun

leg·​i·​bil·​i·​ty ˌlejəˈbilətē 

-ətē, 

-i

plural -es

: the quality or state of being legible

the influence of typeface on the legibility of print

—Helen A. Webster & M. A. Tinker

Synonyms of legible

Adjective

• understandable
• accessible

Examples of legible in a Sentence

Adjective

The document is not legible.

an anxious mood that was clearly legible upon her face

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

For the first time, the band with the most un-Googleable name in showbiz sounds marginally legible. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 16 Oct. 2026

Movies pop, text is far sharper, and the screen stays fully legible even in bright rooms. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026

One evidence bag was photographed with a partially legible label. — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026

While Gen Z found Season 1 through the persuasive, legible, and surprisingly well-sustained power of the internet, Boomers seem to have taken the most linear approach possible. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

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