Readable describes writing that's easy and pleasant to read. When a book is readable, the sentences flow smoothly, the words make sense, and you don't have to struggle to understand what the author means. A readable story pulls you forward through the pages instead of making you work hard to follow along.

Good writers make their work readable by choosing clear words, varying their sentence lengths, and organizing their ideas logically. A readable textbook explains difficult concepts step by step. A readable novel keeps you interested without confusing you with tangled sentences or unnecessary complexity.

The word can also describe handwriting. When your handwriting is readable, other people can easily make out your letters and words. Teachers often remind students to write readably so assignments can be graded fairly.

Notice that readable doesn't mean simple or childish. A book can discuss sophisticated ideas and still be highly readable if the author explains things well. The opposite of readable is unreadable, which describes writing that's confusing or physically impossible to decipher.