intelligible

[ in-tel-i-juh-buhl ]

/ ɪnˈtɛl ɪ dʒə bəl /

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See synonyms for: intelligible / intelligibly on Thesaurus.com

adjective

capable of being understood; comprehensible; clear: an intelligible response.

Philosophy. apprehensible by the mind only; conceptual.

OTHER WORDS FOR intelligible

1 distinct, lucid, coherent.

See synonyms for intelligible on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of intelligible

1350–1400; Middle English from Latin intelligibilis, equivalent to intellig- (see intelligent) + -ibilis -ible

OTHER WORDS FROM intelligible

in·tel·li·gi·ble·ness, nounin·tel·li·gi·bly, adverbhalf-in·tel·li·gi·ble, adjectivehalf-in·tel·li·gi·bly, adverb

self-in·tel·li·gi·ble, adjectivesem·i-in·tel·li·gi·ble, adjectivesem·i-in·tel·li·gi·bly, adverb

Words nearby intelligible

intelligential, intelligent knowledge-based system, intelligentsia, intelligent terminal, intelligibility, intelligible, Intelsat, intemerate, intemperance, intemperate, intend

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use intelligible in a sentence

Where there is a model that is able to coherently combine that information, generate predictions accompanied by pretty accurate depictions of the uncertainty, and say something intelligible and relatively actionable in a fairly tight time line.
Reimagining our pandemic problems with the mindset of an engineer|Siobhan Roberts|October 15, 2021|MIT Technology Review
The subject was a 36-year-old man the researchers refer to as “Bravo-1,” who after a serious stroke has lost his ability to form intelligible words and can only grunt or moan.
Facebook is ditching plans to make an interface that reads the brain|Antonio Regalado|July 14, 2021|MIT Technology Review
By relying on arguments and evidence intelligible to nonscientific audiences, these books sold well.
Tarzan Wasn’t for Her - Issue 100: Outsiders|Erika Lorraine Milam|June 2, 2021|Nautilus
For about a century all Congress had to do was pass a law that gave agencies an “intelligible principle” to use when they filled out the details.
Will a 6-3 conservative Supreme Court roll back regulations on business? Not so fast|matthewheimer|October 27, 2020|Fortune

Notice how converting to micromorts expresses the risk in an emotionally intelligible way.
How to Assess Risks During the Coronavirus Pandemic|Pradeep Mutalik|September 25, 2020|Quanta Magazine
Maybe this is The Matrix (the first one that was faintly intelligible) after all.
For Newtown Killer, a Dangerous DNA Wild-Goose Chase|Kent Sepkowitz|December 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Koon: His arms were at his side and the first words that were intelligible that I heard him audible at that time.
L.A. Riots Anniversary: Stacey Koon’s Disturbing Testimony|Christine Pelisek|April 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST
With time, the fierceness and the collective sweetness that underscored it grew more intelligible.
My Own Private Bollywood|Katherine Russell Rich|July 7, 2009|DAILY BEAST
The matron expressed her entire concurrence in this intelligible simile, and the beadle went on.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3)|Charles Dickens
These words represent nothing; they describe nothing; but a gesture makes them intelligible.
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 1 (of 10)|Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)
A correct appreciation of these various 'movements' of the Complaint makes the poem much more intelligible.
Chaucer's Works, Volume 1 (of 7) -- Romaunt of the Rose; Minor Poems|Geoffrey Chaucer
I wish to present what is ascertained and intelligible rather than what is ingenious and obscure.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume I|John Lord
He remained in this condition for twenty-seven hours, and during that time his speech was indistinct but intelligible.
Essays In Pastoral Medicine|Austin Malley

British Dictionary definitions for intelligible

intelligible

/ (ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒəbəl) /

adjective

able to be understood; comprehensible

philosophy

capable of being apprehended by the mind or intellect alone
(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

Derived forms of intelligible

intelligibility or intelligibleness, nounintelligibly, adverb

Word Origin for intelligible

C14: from Latin intellegibilis; see intellect

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

intelligible

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Origin of intelligible

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How to use intelligible in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for intelligible

Derived forms of intelligible

Word Origin for intelligible