understandable

[uhn-der-stan-duh-buhl]

adjective

1. capable of being understood; understood; comprehensible.

Other Word Forms

• understandability noun
• understandably adverb
• nonunderstandable adjective
• ununderstandable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of understandable¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English: originally, “capable of understanding”; understand + -able

Example Sentences

"It is understandable. It is a film set in a church with lots of priests... but she was so mortified and kept apologising," she says.

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Sources at some of the clubs involved feel the intention to pitch to younger audiences through the choice of platform and personalities was understandable.

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Moore’s statements represented a dramatic shift from his comments last week, when he said the media reports had generated an ‘understandable mistrust’ of the Fire Department.

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Both Erin and Marcellino expressed some sympathy for the “pick-me girls,” and agreed that their behavior is understandable given a morally bankrupt situation.

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City Council’s public safety committee — two days before the full council approved his appointment as chief — that the reports had generated an “understandable mistrust” of the fire department.

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Related Words

• acceptable 
• coherent 
• comprehensible 
• intelligible 
• justifiable 
• logical 
• reasonable 
• recognizable www.thesaurus.com
• simple