comprehensible - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
comprehensible Word Meanings
- able to be understood
- clear enough to be grasped
- intelligible
comprehensible Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
comprehensible Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnsəbl/
US
/ˌkɑːmprɪˈhɛnsl/
comprehensible Word Etymology
Root: 'com-' (with) + 'prehendere' (to seize). Origin: Latin → Old French → English. Memory image: Imagine a group of friends having a conversation where everything they say is clear and easy to grasp, reflecting how 'comprehensible' makes communication smooth and understood.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Comprehensible describes something that can be understood clearly, such as a text, explanation, or instruction. It emphasizes that the information is accessible to the reader or listener, often after it has been presented more clearly. The nuance sits between 'understandable' and 'intelligible': it implies not only that understanding is possible, but that the actual grasp is easy to achieve. In practice you might describe a lecture, a manual, or a diagram as comprehensible when the key ideas come through without confusion. It is common in formal, educational, and technical contexts.
Usage Reminders
- Use for clear, accessible explanations; not for people. Distinguish from its synonyms: understandable (everyone can grasp) vs comprehensible (clear, easily grasped). Prefer in formal or educational text. Pair with examples or visuals to boost clarity. Avoid overusing in casual speech where simpler words fit better.
Common Misconceptions
- It only describes people, not texts or explanations.
- It means every detail must be understood perfectly.
- It and intelligible are always interchangeable.
- It is casual language suitable for everyday speech.
- It should be used for slang or informal dialogue.
Thinking Differences
In English, comprehensible often appears in formal or instructional contexts to stress clarity. Learners commonly confuse it with understandable or intelligible, applying it to everyday speech or choosing the wrong degree of ease. Keep in mind it emphasizes ease of grasp, not just the possibility of understanding.
Learning Tips
- Compare with understandable and intelligible to feel nuance differences.
- Practice rewriting opaque passages to be comprehensible.
- Read technical or instructional text and note where clarity is high.
- Explain a concept aloud to see if it sounds comprehensible to a listener.
- Use visuals (diagrams, examples) to boost comprehension.
- Listen for the moment a speaker’s ideas become comprehensible.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What does the word 'comprehensible' mean?
A.Clear and easy to understand
B.Difficult to understand
C.Completely unintelligible
D.Not understandable
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses 'comprehensible' correctly?
A.The instructions were comprehensible, making it easy to follow them.
B.I had a comprehensible headache after studying all night.
C.Her speech was so long that it became comprehensible.
D.The painting was comprehensible in its complexity.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is a synonym of 'comprehensible'?
A.Obscure
B.Confusing
C.Intelligible
D.Ambiguous
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the antonym of 'comprehensible'?
A.Clear
B.Obscure
C.Straightforward
D.Simple
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life scenario where something is explained clearly?
A.The instructions for assembling the furniture were quite confusing.
B.She struggled to read an article that was very technical.
C.The teacher explained the math problem in a way that everyone understood.
D.His explanation left everyone more puzzled than before.
Related Listening
🔥 Advanced
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