What does legibility mean?
Legibility is the quality of being easy to read, decipher, or understand. The word is especially common in discussions of handwriting, print, typography, maps, signs, and official documents, where it describes how clearly letters, words, or symbols can be identified. Poor legibility may result from faded ink, cramped writing, an unsuitable typeface, or a complex layout; good legibility makes information accessible without requiring extra effort to interpret it. The term can also have a broader figurative use, as in “the legibility of an argument,” where it refers to how clearly ideas are communicated or understood. Legibility is therefore closely related to readability, but it places particular emphasis on visual decipherability and the absence of obstacles to recognition. It is a useful word for discussing design, accessibility, education, and clear communication.
nounThe quality of being easy to read, decipher, or understand, especially in the case of writing, print, or handwriting. It can also refer to the clarity and ease with which information can be understood or interpreted.
- The quality of being easy to read or decipher, especially in writing or print.
- The quality of being clear and easy to understand or interpret.
"The editor improved the legibility of the document by increasing the font size and darkening the ink."
"Careful proofreading is essential for preserving the legibility of a printed report."
"The testimony lacked legibility, so the committee asked the witness to clarify her statement."
Legibility comes from the Latin legere, meaning “to read”; it originally described the ease with which writing could be made out.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does legibility come from?
Legibility comes from Latin legibilitas, a noun formed from legere, meaning “to read” or “to gather,” with the suffix -bilis, indicating capability or quality. English borrowed the word in the early 19th century, initially referring chiefly to the ease with which handwriting could be read. Its wider figurative sense developed from the idea that a text or idea should be readily understood. Related English words include legible and illegible, while collect, select, lecture, and delegate also derive from Latin forms associated with legere.
Related word forms
How legibility is actually used
Legibility is most often used for writing, print, typography, maps, and documents. In more abstract contexts, it means clarity or ease of interpretation, although “clarity” is often the more natural choice there.
Easily confused with legibility
Legibility focuses primarily on how easily writing or print can be deciphered, whereas readability also includes the ease and interest of reading the content.