English Reference
Adjective

legible

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈɫɛdʒəbəɫ/ UK /lˈɛdʒəbəl/ leg·i·ble

adj.easy to read. You use this to describe writing or text that is clear and not messy.

adj.capable of being read with ease. Often used to describe handwriting, fonts, or printed text that is not distorted or faded.


SIMPLE

Please write your name in legible handwriting.

CONTEXTUAL

The old map was difficult to use because the ink had faded and the text was no longer legible.

If the art’s strong enough, it should be legible to some degree to whoever comes across it.

The Guardian· 1 Sept 2026

From Late Latin legibilis (“that can be read”), from Latin legō.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin legō
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated