legibly
legibly — adverb
1. if writing is done like this, the shapes of the letters and numbers are tidy eno
if writing is done like this, the shapes of the letters and numbers are tidy enough for another person to work out each one
Mert printed his name legibly at the top of the exam paper before starting.
verb + legibly with print / write
Please fill in the form legibly so the clerk at the front desk can read your address.
imperative: fill in / write … legibly
The doctor's notes were not written legibly, and the pharmacist had to phone the clinic to check the dosage.
Felix signed the contract legibly on every page so there would be no dispute later.
The teacher reminded the class to label their drawings legibly in pencil.
文法句型
verb (often write / print / sign) + legibly
用法筆記
Almost always paired with a writing or marking verb (write, print, sign, label, fill in). Frequently appears in negative or imperative forms in instructions and complaints about handwriting.
常見錯誤
legibly — adjective
1. if writing or print is like this, the shapes are clear and tidy enough for a rea
if writing or print is like this, the shapes are clear and tidy enough for a reader to work out each letter and number
Amira's notes were so legible that her classmates often borrowed them before tests.
predicative: be + legible
The faded receipt from the corner shop was barely legible after a week in Jisoo's wet coat pocket.
barely / hardly + legible
Please use a black pen so your signature stays legible on the photocopied form.
Elena's grandmother kept a stack of legible recipe cards in a small wooden box on the kitchen shelf.
- readable
more everyday register; less formal than legible
- clear
broader; works for sound, sight, and meaning
- decipherable
stresses the effort needed to work out very messy or coded writing
- illegible
direct opposite — impossible to read
- unreadable
wider scope; includes content too dull or too damaged to read
文法句型
legible + noun (handwriting, signature, label)
be + legible
用法筆記
Typically describes handwriting, print, signs, or labels — physical marks that a reader sees. Often modified by 'barely', 'hardly', or 'still' to grade how readable the writing is.
常見錯誤
2. if a pattern, feeling, or influence is like this, the signs of it are obvious en
if a pattern, feeling, or influence is like this, the signs of it are obvious enough that a careful observer can pick them out, almost as if they were written down
Gita's disappointment was legible in the slow way she folded the rejection letter.
metaphorical: emotion + legible in + action
The influence of Tang Dynasty poetry is still legible in the structure of these modern Taipei lyrics.
influence + legible in + work
Centuries of trade with the Portuguese remain legible on the food stalls of Macau's old streets.
The pressure of the long campaign was legible on Senator Darius's face by election night.
- discernible
more common in formal English for things noticed by careful observation
- apparent
broader; signals what is plainly visible without the 'reading' metaphor
- perceptible
stresses the act of perception, less tied to writing imagery
- imperceptible
opposite — too faint for an observer to pick up
- hidden
wider scope; deliberately concealed rather than simply faint
文法句型
be + legible (+ in / on)
用法筆記
Used metaphorically of feelings, history, or influence that show themselves through visible signs. Distinguish from sense 1 (adjective): sense 1 needs actual written marks; sense 2 treats anything visible as if it could be read.