Comprehensible: meaning, definitions and examples

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comprehensible

 

[ ˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnsɪbl ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

understandable

Able to be understood easily; clear and logical.

Synonyms

clear, coherent, intelligible, logical, understandable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
comprehensible

Used when something can be easily grasped or understood by someone, especially if it could be complicated or difficult.

  • Her explanation of the complex theory was comprehensible to all of us
understandable

Indicates something is easy to understand, often used when emphasizing empathy or justification for something that could otherwise be seen as complex or confusing.

  • Given the circumstances, his reaction was perfectly understandable
clear

Refers to something being easy to see, hear, or understand; often used in various contexts including visual clarity, speech, and instructions.

  • The instructions she gave were clear and easy to follow
intelligible

Suggests something is clear enough to be understood, often applied to speech or writing that was previously unclear or difficult to decipher.

  • The announcer's message was barely intelligible over the noise
coherent

Used when something is logically connected and makes sense as a whole; often refers to writing, speech, or ideas that are well-organized and consistent.

  • His argument was coherent, making it very convincing
logical

Refers to something that follows a clear, rational pattern; often used in arguments, reasoning, or problem-solving processes.

  • Her reasoning was logical and easy to follow

Examples of usage

  • His explanation was so comprehensible that even a child could follow along.
  • The instructions were written in a comprehensible manner.
  • The teacher's lecture was highly comprehensible to the students.
  • She tried to make the complex topic more comprehensible for the audience.
  • The book was praised for its comprehensible explanations.
Context #2 | Adjective

able to be understood

Capable of being grasped mentally; intelligible.

Synonyms

accessible, clear, digestible, intelligible, understandable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
comprehensible

When something can be easily understood or grasped, typically used in more formal or academic settings.

  • The teacher's explanation was clear and comprehensible to all the students
intelligible

When speech, writing, or concepts are clear enough to be understood, typically used in more formal or technical contexts.

  • Her speech was intelligible despite the noisy environment
understandable

When something can be grasped or accepted, often used in both formal and informal settings to describe clear communication.

  • His reaction was understandable given the circumstances
clear

When something is easy to see, hear, or understand, commonly used in everyday language.

  • The instructions were clear and easy to follow
accessible

When something is easy to approach or use, often used in relation to information, resources, or places.

  • The government made the health information accessible to the public
digestible

When information or content is easy to absorb and understand, often used in contexts where complex ideas are broken down.

  • The coach presented the complex strategy in a digestible format for the team

Examples of usage

  • The concept was not only complex but also comprehensible to the students.
  • The presentation was designed to be easily comprehensible to all attendees.
  • The data was presented in a comprehensible format for analysis.
  • The software interface was user-friendly and comprehensible.
  • The professor made the difficult subject matter comprehensible through practical examples.

Translations

Translations of the word "comprehensible" in other languages:

🇵🇹 compreensível

🇮🇳 समझने योग्य

🇩🇪 verständlich

🇮🇩 dapat dipahami

🇺🇦 зрозумілий

🇵🇱 zrozumiały

🇯🇵 理解可能な

🇫🇷 compréhensible

🇪🇸 comprensible

🇹🇷 anlaşılabilir

🇰🇷 이해할 수 있는

🇸🇦 مفهوم

🇨🇿 srozumitelný

🇸🇰 zrozumiteľný

🇨🇳 可理解的

🇸🇮 razumljiv

🇮🇸 skiljanlegur

🇰🇿 түсінікті

🇬🇪 გასაგები

🇦🇿 anlaşılan

🇲🇽 comprensible

Etymology

The word 'comprehensible' dates back to the early 15th century and is derived from the Old French word 'comprehensible'. It combines the prefix 'com-' meaning 'together' or 'thoroughly' with 'prehensible' from the Latin 'prehendere' meaning 'to grasp'. Over the centuries, 'comprehensible' has retained its essence of being easily understood or grasped by the mind, evolving to become a key term in communication and education.

See also: comprehend, comprehended, comprehending, comprehendingly, comprehensibility, comprehension, comprehensive, comprehensiveness, incomprehensibility, incomprehensible, incomprehensibly.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,989, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.