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.

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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

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Other Word Forms

• readability noun
• readably adverb

Etymology

Origin of readable

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

Example Sentences

He made his home in the Scottish Borders and wrote readable, accessible novels in the realist tradition.

From BBC

The map was safely stowed in his pocket, wet and bedraggled but still readable.

From Literature

Some academic flourishes make the book at times less readable than necessary.

From The Wall Street Journal

Every encrypted communication, every financial transaction, every military secret becomes readable.

From MarketWatch

Ramps, captions, readable fonts, and interpreters are not preferences, they argue, but requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act in a world that was not designed with disabled people in mind.

From Salon

Related Words

• absorbing
• amusing
• appealing
• eloquent
• engaging
• engrossing
• enjoyable
• entertaining
• enthralling
• fascinating
• gripping
• interesting
• rewarding
• satisfying
• well-written
• worthwhile