# readability

/ˌɹidəˈbɪɫɪti/ (US) · /ɹˌiːdəbˈɪlɪti/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/readability
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

how easy it is to read and understand a piece of writing. It depends on the length of the words and the sentences.

For teachers: the ease with which a text can be read and understood. Often measured by the complexity of vocabulary and the length of syntactic structures.

## Examples

- The report has high readability because it uses simple words.
- The editor suggested changing the long sentences to improve the readability for a younger audience.
- While the author's prose is technically sophisticated, the lack of paragraph breaks and complex footnotes significantly reduces the readability for general readers.

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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.