Comprehensibility

Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

UK: /ˌkɒm.prɪˌhɛn.sɪˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/

US: /ˌkɑːm.prɪˌhɛn.səˈbɪl.ə.ti/

Definitions

• The quality of being understandable or clear.
• The degree to which something can be comprehended by others.

Usage Examples

• "The comprehensibility of the document was greatly improved after simplification."
• "His speech lacked comprehensibility due to technical jargon."
• "Comprehensibility is key when writing user manuals."

Etymology

Derived from "comprehensible," which originates from Latin "comprehendere" (to grasp or seize). The suffix "-bility" denotes a state or quality.

Synonyms

• Understandability
• Clarity
• Intelligibility
• Lucidity
• Articulateness

Antonyms

• Incomprehensibility
• Obscurity
• Ambiguity
• Confusion

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• British English: /ˌkɒm.prɪˌhɛn.sɪˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/
• American English: /ˌkɑːm.prɪˌhɛn.səˈbɪl.ə.ti/
• French: /kɔ̃.pʁe.ɑ̃.si.bi.li.te/
• Spanish: /kom.pɾen.si.βi.liˈdad/

Historical Usage

The term "comprehensibility" has been used in academic and linguistic discussions since the early 19th century, often in reference to readability and clarity in speech and writing.

Cultural Nuances

Comprehensibility is often emphasized in education, public speaking, and translation work. Different cultures prioritize clarity in communication in varied ways, such as simplified speech patterns in Japan or the use of formal structure in German technical writing.

More Information

In modern linguistics, comprehensibility is a key factor in second-language acquisition and accessibility studies. It is commonly assessed in speech recognition and AI-driven language tools.