understandable English · revision 39906

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=before 1382, Wycliffite Bible}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * UK: /ˌʌndəˈstændəb(ə)l/^(Wiktionary)

+ * US: /ˌʌndɚˈstændəb(ə)l/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It was formed in Middle English from [[m|enm|understanden]], that is [[af|en|understand|-able]].^(MWU 2024)^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(Dictionary.com 2016)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Able to understand, capable of understanding: before 1382, in the early version of the Wycliffite Bible;^(OED 2026)^(SOED 2002) Etymonline dates this sense to the late 14th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The active sense, "able to understand", was the first, as with several early adjectives in ''-able'', and it lasted until the mid-17th century (last recorded 1654).^(OED 2026)^(SOED 2002)^(Etymonline) The passive sense, "that can be understood, intelligible", is recorded from about 1400 in Etymonline^(Etymonline) and about 1475 in the OED, in the ''Catholicon Anglicum''.^(OED 2026) Modern dictionaries add a further sense, "to be expected in the circumstances, natural or forgivable", said of feelings and reactions.^(AHD 2024)^(COED 2004)^(ODE 2010)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1382 – able to understand (obsolete after 1654).^(OED 2026)

+ * c. 1400 – that can be understood.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1475 – intelligible (OED's first example).^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Able to be [[understand|alt=understood]]; [[intelligible]] or [[clear]]: ''The instructions were short and understandable.''^(AHD 2024)^(MWU 2024)^(COED 2004)

+ # To be expected in the circumstances; [[natural]], [[reasonable]] or [[forgivable]]: ''Her nervousness before the exam was understandable.''^(AHD 2024)^(COED 2004)^(ODE 2010)

+ # (obsolete) Able to understand.^(MWU 2024)^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[understandability]]

+ * [[understandably]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[understand]]

+ * [[understanding]]

+ * [[comprehensible]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}