Intelligible and Understandable

Intelligible

Intelligible adjective - Capable of being understood.
Usage example: speculation on the odds that a communication from a far-off planet would be intelligible

Understandable is a synonym for intelligible in comprehensible topic. In some cases you can use "Understandable" instead an adjective "Intelligible", when it comes to topics like quality, knowledge, sane, straightforward. popular alternative

Understandable

Understandable adjective - Capable of being understood.
Usage example: with understandable pain and anger, the victim's family lashed out at the convicted murderer

Intelligible is a synonym for understandable in comprehensible topic. You can use "Intelligible" instead an adjective "Understandable", if it concerns topics such as quality, knowledge, sane, distinct. popular alternative

Both words in one sentence

  • Web Animation / Pokémon Rusty Intelligible Unintelligible: "Pikachu" the Beedrill speaks by buzzing in a specific pattern after becoming the new boss of Team Rocket, yet his words are completely understandable.
  • Western Animation / Little Einsteins Intelligible Unintelligible: Rocket's the one seen most often, obviously, but in short the only characters that speak understandable English are the Little Einsteins themselves.
Cite this Source
Understandable and Intelligible. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/intelligible/understandable
Intelligible & Understandable. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/intelligible/understandable>.
Understandable or Intelligible. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/intelligible/understandable.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "intelligible" and "understandable" have occurred on timeline