legible

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "legible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that can easily be read or understood. For example, "Please write your name in a legible fashion on the form."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's better than having a scratchy notebook with writing that only I can read – a tablet's legible for everyone.

The Guardian

There were also signs – large, legible signs – urging drivers to "Always Overtake On Right".

The Guardian - Travel

In the 80s, the edifices of the second world war seemed as legible to me as the promise of a European future.

The Guardian

The scene, depicted in Edward Poynter's painting, Faithful unto Death, is still legible on a scorched postcard pulled from behind the charred remains of wooden panelling in the Glasgow School of Art last week.

The Guardian - Arts

The varnish is peeling now, and the manufacturer's lettering scarcely legible, but what really stops you dead as you walk round the National Museum in Antigua is a cricket bat.

The Guardian - Travel

The Hebrew gravestones, clearly legible, go back to the 11th century.

The Economist

A useful website, says the study, should load quickly, be legible on either a standard monitor or a smartphone, and be equipped with a functioning search engine, preferably not outsourced to Google.

The Economist

They merely make the script legible on an American PC.

The Economist

Only documents with characters that are both small enough to fall within the threshold that the compression algorithm uses for fuzzy matching yet barely large enough to be legible are affected.

The Economist

Set up in 1999 in a former cocktail bar, whose name is still clearly legible outside, it is considered a model non-governmental organisation, but it does not offer treatment.That is done at Lundazi district hospital, or rather it is meant to be done there.

The Economist

Instead of something that starts off invisible and is then rendered legible (usually by the application of heat), how about a form of writing that is readable to begin with and then fades to invisibility?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing handwriting, use "legible" to indicate that it can be easily read and understood. For example, 'The student's handwriting was surprisingly legible, even in the dimly lit classroom.'

Common error

Avoid using "legible" to describe complex ideas or concepts; instead, reserve it for describing the clarity of written or printed text. For instance, don't say 'The theory was legible,' but rather, 'The handwriting was legible'.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "legible" primarily functions to describe the quality of being easily readable or decipherable. Ludwig shows that this term is commonly used to characterize text, handwriting, or any form of visual communication where clarity is essential.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "legible" describes something that is clear and easy to read. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its frequent appearance across various domains, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and science. To enhance clarity in your writing, use "legible" when referring to text or handwriting that is easily deciphered, and consider alternatives like ""readable"" or "clear" for varied expression. Avoid using "legible" to describe abstract concepts or complex ideas, focusing instead on its primary meaning related to visual clarity. Ensure that your use aligns with the intended formality of your context, as indicated by its presence in authoritative sources such as The Economist and Encyclopedia Britannica.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

readable

Direct synonym, emphasizing the ability to be read.

clear

Focuses on the ease of understanding and visual clarity.

decipherable

Highlights the ability to decode or interpret the writing.

easily read

Emphasizes the effortlessness in reading the content.

plainly written

Focuses on the style of writing that makes it easy to understand.

understandable

Highlights the comprehensibility of the information.

distinct

Emphasizes the clarity of individual characters or elements.

well-defined

Focuses on the sharp and clear outlines of the characters.

unambiguous

Highlights the lack of doubt or confusion in the writing.

in plain view

Focuses on the ease of seeing and reading the information.

FAQs

How to use "legible" in a sentence?

Use "legible" to describe writing or print that is clear enough to read. For example, "Please ensure that all signatures are "readable" and "legible".

What can I say instead of "legible"?

You can use alternatives like ""readable"", "clear", or "decipherable" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "legible handwriting" or "readable handwriting"?

Both "legible handwriting" and "readable handwriting" are correct, though "legible" often implies a higher degree of clarity and ease of reading.

What's the difference between "legible" and "understandable"?

"Legible" refers to the clarity of written or printed material, while "understandable" refers to the ease with which something can be comprehended. A text can be "legible" but not understandable if it uses complex jargon.