legibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "legibility" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the quality or degree of something being easy to read or understand. For example, "This document contains important information, so we need to ensure its legibility for all readers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The firm says this can reduce the amount of ink or toner needed by 25%, with no effect on legibility.

The Economist

In "Seeing Like a State", James Scott writes of how modern governments are driven to implement rational, uniform metrics by the need of the sovereign for "legibility" of the territory they govern, and of how these metrics then distort and sometimes destroy the societies they measure.

The Economist

It was designed in the 1930s for the Times (of London) not just for legibility, but also for compactness so more text could fit comfortably within a column width without sacrificing readability.

The Economist

For the sake of clarity (i.e., legibility) u was often written o before and after m, n, u, v, and w; and i was sometimes written y before and after m and n.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Their frescoes combined grandeur with a legibility and a social awareness rare in modern art.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The last has been called the most successful type design of the 20th century, a result of its economy and legibility when used on high-speed presses.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As a consequence of its decreased legibility, the spelling of the hieratic script tended to be more rigid and more complete than that of hieroglyphic writing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Foulises' best works were distinguished by their excellent layout, legibility, and accuracy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Other human-factor considerations in the design of the push-button keyset were the size and style of numerals and letters for maximum legibility, the optimum sizes and spacing of the keys, and the proper force-displacement characteristics of the keys to provide tactile feedback or "feel" when the buttons are depressed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The addition of symbols for the vowel sounds greatly increased the accuracy and legibility of the writing system for non-Semitic languages.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some names must be omitted, particularly from maps of smaller scales, to avoid overcrowding and poor legibility.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical writing, prioritize "legibility" by using clear fonts, sufficient white space, and consistent formatting to prevent reader fatigue.

Common error

Don't assume that a font or layout that looks good on a large screen will maintain its "legibility" on smaller devices. Always test on multiple platforms.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "legibility" is as a noun. It refers to the quality or state of being easy to read or decipher. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is frequently used to describe textual clarity in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

24%

News & Media

42%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

12%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Legibility" is a noun denoting the quality of being easy to read, frequently used across diverse contexts from encyclopedias to news media. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. Related terms include "readability" and "clarity". When writing, prioritize "legibility" by considering the viewing conditions and platforms. Avoid the common mistake of assuming consistent "legibility" across different devices. The most authoritative sources utilizing this term include Encyclopedia Britannica, The New Yorker, and The New York Times, underscoring its relevance in both formal and general contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

readability

Focuses specifically on how easy text is to read, similar to "legibility" but often used in the context of typography and design.

clarity

Emphasizes the overall ease of understanding, which can encompass more than just visual aspects.

intelligibility

Highlights the quality of being understandable or comprehensible.

comprehensibility

Refers to how easily something can be understood, often used in academic or technical contexts.

discernibility

Indicates how easily something can be distinguished or recognized.

understandability

Stresses the ease with which something can be grasped or comprehended.

ease of reading

Directly points to how simple it is to read something, focusing on the reader's experience.

visual clarity

Specifies that the clarity is related to sight or visual perception.

lucidity

Highlights the clearness and ease of understanding, often implying a straightforward presentation.

plainness

Suggests simplicity and lack of complexity, making something easy to read and understand.

FAQs

How can I improve the "legibility" of my handwriting?

Focus on consistent letter spacing, uniform letter size, and a consistent slant. Practice regularly, and consider using guidelines to maintain straight lines.

What factors affect the "legibility" of a font?

Key factors include x-height, stroke contrast, character width, and the presence of distinct letterforms. Choose fonts designed for the intended use, such as screen or print.

Which is more important, aesthetics or "legibility"?

While aesthetics are important, "legibility" should always be prioritized. A visually appealing design is useless if the text cannot be easily read and understood.

What is the difference between "legibility" and "readability"?

"Legibility" refers to how easily individual characters can be distinguished from one another, while "readability" considers the overall ease of understanding text, including factors like sentence structure and word choice.