legibly

Legibly is an adverb describing text that can be read easily. The related adjective legible refers to the quality of readability itself, and legibility denotes the overall ease with which characters and words can be identified. The term legible derives from Latin legibilis, from legere “to read.” In practical use, something legibly written or printed has clear letter shapes, adequate size, and sufficient contrast to support rapid recognition.

Legibility focuses on the visual features of text—the morphology of letters, spacing, stroke width, and alignment—that enable recognition before comprehension. Readability, by contrast, concerns how easily a text can be understood through its syntax, vocabulary, and structure. A text can be highly readable but not very legible if its font or spacing hinders quick recognition.

In handwriting, legibility depends on consistent letterforms, uniform slant, appropriate spacing, and regular line alignment. In typography, legibility is influenced by typeface design, font size, line length, letter spacing, color contrast, and the medium’s viewing conditions. For signage and digital interfaces, increasing legibility often involves high-contrast display, larger size, and careful layout.

Use of legibly is common in guidelines and evaluations where clear communication is essential, such as medical notes, legal documents, and instructional materials. Overall, legibility is a practical concern across writing, printing, and design, aimed at reducing misreading and improving speed and accuracy of transcription.