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Synonyms

readable

American  
[ree-duh-buhl] / ˈri də bəl /

adjective

  1. easy or interesting to read.

  2. capable of being read; legible.

    readable handwriting.

  3. pertaining to letter mail with addresses and zip codes capable of being read by optical scanning devices.


readable British  
/ ˈriːdəbəl /

adjective

  1. (of handwriting, etc) able to be read or deciphered; legible

  2. (of style of writing) interesting, easy, or pleasant to read

"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

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of readable

First recorded in 1560–70; read 1 + -able


Explanation

Readable things can be understood, interpreted, or read fairly easily. A readable restaurant menu has print that's large and clear enough for diners to make it out. Whether or not something's readable is particularly important when you're conveying emergency instructions (like a sign showing how to help someone who's choking) or advertising something (customers can't find your store if they can't read the address in your advertisement). Another way to define readable is "fun and easy to read." Your favorite books, for example, might be fast-paced, readable mysteries.

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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.

See Examples For:

It was a reclamation of beauty standards, in which icons like the Brat singer Teresa Covarrubias adopted the visual markers of shadow and decay, refusing to render themselves more easily readable or palatable.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026

But the destination is still readable, and an ISP will know you visited that website, whether or not it uses HTTPS.

From Salon ● Jun. 2, 2026

He said the region preserves a readable geologic record with strong age control for deposits ranging from about 2.3 to 2.95 million years ago.

From Science Daily ● May 16, 2026

The Berkshire proxy is readable and runs less than 20 pages and compares with the 100-plus page tomes that most big companies issue.

From Barron's ● Mar. 16, 2026

Although the day was windy, all the guideposts she needed to orient herself were readable.

From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

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