intelligible

American  

[in-tel-i-juh-buhl] / ɪnˈtɛl ɪ dʒə bəl /

adjective

1. capable of being understood; comprehensible; clear.

   an intelligible response.

   Synonyms:

   coherent, lucid, distinct

2. Philosophy. apprehensible by the mind only; conceptual.

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intelligible British  

/ ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒəbəl /

adjective

1. able to be understood; comprehensible

2. philosophy

   1. capable of being apprehended by the mind or intellect alone

   2. (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

• half-intelligible adjective
• half-intelligibly adverb
• intelligibility noun
• intelligibleness noun
• intelligibly adverb
• self-intelligible adjective
• semi-intelligible adjective
• semi-intelligibly adverb

Etymology

Origin of intelligible

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

Example Sentences

Also, the inventive, nonliteral staging by director Zack Winokur, choreographer Pam Tanowitz, co-set designers Mimi Lien and Jack Forman and lighting designer John Torres is astonishing to look at but not always intelligible.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025

Within months, Sarah lost the use of her hands, then "all intelligible speech".

From BBC • Aug. 20, 2025

That’s a prescient thought, given the only intelligible question one can muster once they see Gaga’s 25-foot dress for the opening act is, “How?”

From Salon • Apr. 16, 2025

The casting of deaf and hearing actors — one to embody and emotionalize a character, the other to sing, speak and jam — fails to harmonize into a resonant or even intelligible interpretation.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 11, 2024

The cyclical movement of history was now intelligible, or appeared to be so; and if it was intelligible, then it was alterable.

From "1984" by George Orwell

Related Words

• comprehensible