Origin: Latin suffix -able
Readable has 2 different meanings across 1 category:
easily deciphered
"The faded inscription on the ancient stone was barely readable until a conservator cleaned it."
legible, possible to read or at least decipher
"The faded handwriting on the ancient manuscript was barely readable without a magnifying glass."
In plain English: Readable means something is written clearly enough that you can easily read and understand it without getting confused.
"The large print made the book very readable even in dim light."
Usage: Use readable when text is clear enough to be understood without difficulty, distinguishing it from merely being physically visible like an unreadable font. This adjective applies specifically to the clarity of written material rather than general comprehension skills.
Readable is formed by adding the suffix -able to read, indicating that something can be easily understood when looked at or spoken aloud. This construction follows a common pattern for creating adjectives describing capability in English.