readable

readable — adjective

1. written in an interesting or entertaining way that makes you want to continue re

1.形容詞B1
釋義

written in an interesting or entertaining way that makes you want to continue reading through the whole thing.

例句

Despite its length, the novel is surprisingly readable and hard to put down.

collocation: surprisingly readable

Linh finds history textbooks much more readable when they include personal stories.

同義詞
  • engaging

    focuses on holding interest rather than just being easy to follow

  • absorbing

    stronger — suggests the reader becomes fully involved

  • entertaining

    emphasises pleasure rather than ease of reading

反義詞
  • unreadable

    used when a text is too dull or poorly written to finish

  • tedious

    suggests boringness rather than difficulty

常見錯誤

❌The handwriting is very readable and I can finish it in one sitting.
✅The novel is very readable and I finished it in one sitting.
💡'readable' for handwriting refers to clarity, not enjoyment; use sense 2 for physical legibility.
❌This font is very readable and engaging.
✅This author's style is very readable and engaging.
💡sense 1 applies to writing content, not typeface design.

2. clear enough in form or appearance — for example handwriting, a font, or printed

2.形容詞B1
釋義

clear enough in form or appearance — for example handwriting, a font, or printed text — to be read without straining your eyes.

例句

Please print your name in capital letters so it stays readable on the form.

imperative: print in capital letters for readability

The tiny font on the medicine bottle was barely readable without a magnifying glass.

同義詞
  • legible

    more common synonym for physically clear handwriting or print

  • clear

    broader term; not specific to reading

  • decipherable

    suggests difficulty was overcome to read it

反義詞
  • illegible

    direct antonym — impossible to read because it is too messy or faint

  • unreadable

    can mean either physically unclear or not worth reading; context matters

用法筆記

Commonly contrasts with 'illegible'. The subject is usually the physical writing or printing itself, not the content of the text.

常見錯誤

❌The story was very readable — I could see every word clearly.
✅The handwriting was very readable
💡I could see every word clearly.' — 'story' is content (use sense 1); use 'handwriting' or 'text' for sense 2.
❌Her essay was readable because the arguments were well organised.
✅Her essay was readable because the font was large and clear.
💡organisation relates to sense 1; physical clarity relates to sense 2.

readable — suffix