# accessibility

/ˌæksɛsəˈbɪɫɪti/ (US) · /ɐksˌɛsəbˈɪlɪti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/accessibility
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. ease of reach or use

noun · CEFR B2

how easy it is to reach a place or use a service.

For teachers: the quality of being easily reached, entered, or obtained. Uncountable in this general sense.

- The new train station improved the accessibility of the city centre for commuters.
- The accessibility of the remote mountain village was significantly improved by the construction of a modern paved road and a reliable bus link.

### 2. design for disabilities

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

features that help people with disabilities use technology or buildings.

For teachers: the design of products, devices, or environments for people with disabilities, particularly in digital or architectural contexts.

- The website has good accessibility because it works well with screen readers.
- The developer prioritised accessibility by ensuring that all images had descriptive alt-text and the site was fully navigable via keyboard commands.

Usage: Often used in the context of web standards or building codes.

### 3. ease of understanding

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

how easy it is to understand a piece of writing or an idea.

For teachers: the quality of being easily understood or appreciated by a wide range of people.

- The professor was praised for the accessibility of his lectures on complex physics.
- Critics lauded the novel for its accessibility, noting that it managed to explore profound philosophical themes without alienating the casual reader.

## Examples

- The new website has great accessibility for blind users.
- The city improved street accessibility by adding ramps at every corner.
- True digital accessibility requires more than just screen readers; it demands intuitive navigation and clear contrast for all users.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.