Basic Details
Word: Legibly
Part of Speech: Adverb
Meaning: In a way that is clear enough to be read easily, usually said about handwriting or print.
Synonyms: clearly, neatly, readably
Antonyms: illegibly, messily
How to Spell Legibly
Syllables: leg - i - bly
Tricky part: The ending is ibly, not ably, because the adjective is legible. The g is soft, as in giant, and there is only one l at the start.
Watch out for: legably, ledgibly, legibley
Memory tip: Take legible, knock off the final e and put y in its place: legibl(e) + y. No a ever comes into it.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The prescription was printed legibly, so the chemist read it at once.
Example 2: Grandpa signs his name slowly so that it comes out legibly.
Example 3: Our class teacher gives an extra mark to anyone who writes the whole test legibly.
Fun Fact
Legible comes from Latin legere, 'to read'. The same Latin verb gave English the words lecture and lectern.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
legiblly
a) i
b) g
c) l
d) b
Show answer
c) l. Legibly has only one l in its ending, b-l-y, so the second l is the extra one.
Word Connection
Choose the word opposite in meaning to legibly as used in the sentence:
Please write your roll number legibly at the top of the answer sheet.
a) illegibly
b) plainly
c) neatly
d) distinctly
Show answer
a) illegibly. The prefix il turns legibly into its opposite; neatly, plainly and distinctly all mean nearly the same as legibly.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of that word.
1. legibly 2. sensibily 3. possibley 4. visibley
a) in a way that can be seen
b) in a way that is clear enough to read
c) in a wise and practical way
d) perhaps; it may be
Show answer
b) in a way that is clear enough to read. All four should end in ibly; visibly, sensibly and possibly were spoilt by an extra e or i, so the meaning to pick is that of legibly.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. If a sign is printed legibly, people can ____.
a) touch the letters
b) hardly see it
c) hear it from far away
d) read it without difficulty
Show answer
d) read it without difficulty
2. Which word is the adjective from which legibly is made?
a) legacy
b) legible
c) legend
d) legal
Show answer
b) legible
