Comprehendible vs. Comprehensible — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 6, 2023
Comprehendible and comprehensible both mean able to be understood; "comprehensible" is more commonly used.
Difference Between Comprehendible and Comprehensible
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Comprehendible is an adjective that conveys the quality of being able to be understood or grasped mentally. The use of 'comprehendible' is relatively rare and may appear in contexts where there is an emphasis on the process of understanding. The term suggests that something can be comprehended by the mind without necessarily implying ease or clarity.
Comprehensible is also an adjective, and it refers to something that can be understood easily and clearly. This word is more commonly used in everyday English. It implies that something is presented or explained in a way that is easily accessible to the intellect. When something is described as comprehensible, it denotes that the information is within reach of understanding.
In educational settings, teachers might aim to make their lessons comprehendible, focusing on the students' ability to grasp the material. The word 'comprehendible' places the onus on the receiver's capacity to understand the content. However, the responsibility often shifts to the educator to make the lessons comprehensible, ensuring the material is clear and straightforward.
In terms of usage, 'comprehendible' might be chosen for stylistic reasons or to convey a slightly different nuance. For instance, an author might use it to emphasize the inherent ability of a subject to be understood. On the other hand, 'comprehensible' is the go-to word in most contexts due to its familiar ring and emphasis on clear understanding.
While 'comprehendible' and 'comprehensible' are synonyms and often interchangeable, choosing one over the other can be a matter of preference or subtle distinction in meaning. Both words relate to the capacity of being understood, with 'comprehensible' carrying a more active quality of offering clarity to the audience.
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Comparison Chart
Common Usage
Less common
More common
Connotation
Ability to be grasped mentally
Easily and clearly understood
Context Preference
Used for emphasis on mental graspability
Used for clarity and ease of understanding
Nuance
Implicit ability to be understood
Explicit ease of understanding
Frequency in Texts
Rare
Frequent
Compare with Definitions
Comprehendible
Intelligible
The instructions were comprehendible to everyone present.
Comprehensible
Plain
The concepts were presented in a comprehensible manner.
Comprehendible
Mentally Graspable
The theory was comprehendible after the detailed explanation.
Comprehensible
Easily Understood
The teacher's explanation was comprehensible to the entire class.
Comprehendible
Understandable
His speech was comprehendible despite the complex subject matter.
Comprehensible
Intelligible
The directions were comprehensible even to newcomers.
Comprehendible
Apprehensible
The contract terms were comprehendible upon careful reading.
Comprehensible
Clear
The sign's instructions were clear and comprehensible.
Comprehendible
Fathomable
The foreign policy is comprehendible to specialists in the field.
Comprehensible
Readily comprehended or understood; intelligible.
Comprehendible
To take in the meaning, nature, or importance of; grasp.
Comprehensible
Able to be comprehended.
Comprehendible
To have as part of something larger; encompass or include.
Comprehensible
Capable of being comprehended, included, or comprised.
Lest this part of knowledge should seem to any not comprehensible by axiom, we will set down some heads of it.
Comprehendible
(rare) comprehensible, understandable; able to be comprehended.
Comprehensible
Capable of being understood; intelligible; conceivable by the mind.
The horizon sets the bounds . . . between what is and what is not comprehensible by us.
Comprehendible
Able to be understood. Opposite of incomprehensible.
Comprehensible
Capable of being comprehended or understood;
An idea comprehensible to the average mind
Comprehendible
Capable of being comprehended or understood;
An idea comprehensible to the average mind
Comprehensible
Understandable
Her argument was logical and comprehensible.
Common Curiosities
Can comprehensible refer to both written and spoken information?
Yes, comprehensible applies to both forms of communication.
What does comprehendible mean?
Comprehendible means capable of being mentally grasped.
Is comprehendible used often in English?
It is less common compared to comprehensible.
How is comprehensible defined?
Comprehensible means clear and easy to understand.
Are comprehendible and comprehensible synonyms?
Yes, they are synonyms but have usage nuances.
Do comprehendible and comprehensible have the same root word?
Yes, they both derive from the verb "comprehend."
Can something be comprehendible but not comprehensible?
Technically, yes, if it's understandable but not easily so.
Should technical information be comprehendible or comprehensible?
It should be made as comprehensible as possible for clarity.
In legal documents, which term is preferable?
Comprehensible is often preferred for clarity.
Is it correct to say a person is comprehendible?
It is uncommon; "understandable" would be more appropriate.
How do I make my writing more comprehensible?
Use clear language and structure your ideas logically.
Is comprehendible a formal word?
It can be considered formal due to its less common use.
Which term is better for academic writing?
Comprehensible is usually better for conveying clear understanding.
Which is more frequently used, comprehendible or comprehensible?
Comprehensible is used more frequently.
Is comprehensible positive or negative?
It is generally considered positive as it denotes clarity.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
