adjective
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able to be understood; comprehensible
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philosophy
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capable of being apprehended by the mind or intellect alone
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(in metaphysical systems such as those of Plato or Kant) denoting that metaphysical realm which is accessible to the intellect as opposed to the world of mere phenomena accessible to the senses
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Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of intelligible
1350–1400; Middle English from Latin intelligibilis, equivalent to intellig- ( see intelligent) + -ibilis -ible
Explanation
Use the adjective intelligible to describe speech that is loud and clear, like the intelligible words of your principal which, thanks to a microphone, you were able to hear. When your goal is to make your writing intelligible to anyone who reads it, you choose clear, precise words and give details that tell more about what you mean. You might also include examples. Intelligible comes from the Latin word intelligibilis, "that can understand or that which can be understood." The earlier meaning of intelligible was "able to understand," which today is closer to the meaning of intelligent.
Vocabulary lists containing intelligible
What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?
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Robert M. Pirsig (1928-2017) Tribute List
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Watership Down
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mr. Barragán’s achievement is to make this world intelligible without making excuses for it.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 14, 2026
And references to the original run notwithstanding — appletinis, “Star Wars,” a certain closet — it’s intelligible and funny on its own terms , and as full of love as ever.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026
Within months, Sarah lost the use of her hands, then "all intelligible speech".
From BBC • Aug. 20, 2025
When situated within this broader context of a professed commitment to scientific detachment, Oppenheimer’s behavior becomes more intelligible.
From Salon • Jul. 22, 2025
If I attempted to account for scenes and characters, to tell why certain scenes were written in certain ways, I’d be stretching facts in order to be pleasantly intelligible.
From "Native Son" by Richard Wright
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
