If you describe someone's behaviour or feelings as understandable, you think that they have reacted to a situation in a natural way or in the way you would expect.
His unhappiness was understandable.
Synonyms: reasonable, natural, normal, justified More Synonyms of understandable
The duke is understandably proud of Lady Helen and her achievements.
Most organizations are, quite understandably, suspicious of new ideas.
2. adjective
If you say that something such as a statement or theory is understandable, you mean that people can easily understand it.
She writes in a simple and understandable way.
Synonyms: comprehensible, clear, straightforward, coherent More Synonyms of understandable
Examples of 'understandable' in a sentence
understandable
This shared antipathy towards gambling was entirely understandable.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There were errors but under the circumstances they were entirely understandable.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In part, his concern was quite understandable.
The Sun (2016)
How do you visualise information to make it more easily understandable?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
We would also particularly encourage a move to make all sentencing simpler and understandable.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Since its carbon chain is so short this is quite understandable.
Erdmann, Robert & Jones, Meirion Fats, Nutrition and Health (1991)
It was understandable that something was done.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The temptation to use your lump sum this way is completely understandable.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The feelings expressed were both familiar and entirely understandable.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The argument is understandable yet unduly simple.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Her surprise and delight were entirely understandable.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Her programmes are full of interesting facts that are put across to the viewer in a understandable way.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Often this is quite understandable as one interview follows another in what may be a period of days spent interviewing.
Fletcher, Clive How to Face Interviews (1981)
But his frustration was quite understandable.
The Sun (2011)
In a way it was understandable.
The Sun (2010)
It was an entirely understandable sentiment.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Given the situation, her behaviour was perfectly understandable.
Standen, Chris Superdog! Action plans that work for a happy and well-behaved pet (1990)
It's a potent and easily understandable metaphor that makes little economic sense.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
That is quite understandable when you see how well they are doing without Europe.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This is entirely understandable, but does it mean that images like this should not be shown?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Still, leaving our troubles behind as we set off is entirely understandable.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In a way that's understandable because you are talking about loss of homes and loss of life.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Serious mental illness cannot be explained away as a social construct, an understandable way of dealing with an irrational world.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This reaction is quite understandable.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
If her husband could say something so directly understandable, he'd walk the next election.
The Sun (2014)
In other languages
understandable
British English: understandable /ˌʌndəˈstændəbl/ ADJECTIVE
If you describe someone's behaviour or feelings as understandable, you mean that they have reacted to a situation in a natural way or in the way you would expect.
It is understandable that the old man wants to go home.
American English: understandable
Arabic: مَفْهُوم
Brazilian Portuguese: compreensível
Chinese: 可以理解的
Croatian: razumljiv
Czech: pochopitelný
Danish: forståelig
Dutch: begrijpelijk
European Spanish: comprensible
Finnish: ymmärrettävä
French: compréhensible
German: verständlich
Greek: κατανοητός
Italian: comprensibile
Japanese: 理解できる
Korean: 이해할 수 있는
Norwegian: forståelig
Polish: zrozumiały
European Portuguese: compreensível
Romanian: de înțeles
Russian: понятный
Latin American Spanish: comprensible
Swedish: förståelig
Thai: เข้าใจได้
Turkish: anlaşılır
Ukrainian: зрозумілий
Vietnamese: có thể hiểu được
Chinese translation of 'understandable'
understandable
(ʌndəˈstændəbl)
adj
可以理解的 (kěyǐ lǐjiě de)
it is understandable that ... ... 是可以理解的 ( ... shì kěyǐ lǐjiě de)
1 (adjective)
His unhappiness was understandable.
Synonyms
reasonable
natural
A period of depression is a natural response to bereavement.
normal
justified
In my opinion, the decision was wholly justified.
expected
inevitable
legitimate
That's a perfectly legitimate fear.
logical
There was a logical explanation.
predictable
This was a predictable reaction.
accountable
on the cards (informal)
foreseeable
to be expected
justifiable
the strong and justifiable desire for independence
unsurprising
It is unsurprising that he remains so hated.
excusable
He had made a simple but excusable mistake.
pardonable
He spoke with pardonable pride.
2 (adjective)
He writes in a simple and understandable way.
Synonyms
comprehensible
He spoke abruptly, in barely comprehensible Arabic.
clear
The book is clear, readable and amply illustrated.
straightforward
coherent
She's so calm when she speaks in public. I wish I could be that coherent.
lucid
His prose is always lucid and compelling.
user-friendly
easy to understand
crystal clear
unambiguous
intelligible
She moaned faintly but made no intelligible response.
digestible
perspicuous (literary)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of clear
Definition
perceptive; alert
The book is clear, readable and amply illustrated.
Synonyms
comprehensible,
explicit,
articulate,
understandable,
coherent,
lucid,
user-friendly,
intelligible
in the sense of coherent
Definition
capable of intelligible speech
She's so calm when she speaks in public. I wish I could be that coherent.
Synonyms
articulate,
lucid,
comprehensible,
intelligible
in the sense of excusable
He had made a simple but excusable mistake.
Synonyms
forgivable,
understandable,
justifiable,
permissible,
minor,
slight,
allowable,
defensible,
venial,
pardonable,
warrantable
Synonyms of 'understandable'
understandable
Explore 'understandable' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of intelligible
Definition
able to be understood
She moaned faintly but made no intelligible response.
Synonyms
understandable,
clear,
distinct,
lucid,
comprehensible
in the sense of justifiable
Definition
having a good cause or reason
the strong and justifiable desire for independence
Synonyms
reasonable,
right,
sound,
fit,
acceptable,
sensible,
proper,
valid,
legitimate,
understandable,
lawful,
well-founded,
defensible,
tenable,
excusable,
warrantable,
vindicable
in the sense of justified
In my opinion, the decision was wholly justified.
Synonyms
acceptable,
reasonable,
understandable,
justifiable,
natural,
normal,
legitimate,
logical,
to be expected
in the sense of legitimate
Definition
based on correct or acceptable principles of reasoning
That's a perfectly legitimate fear.
Synonyms
reasonable,
just,
correct,
sensible,
valid,
warranted,
logical,
justifiable,
well-founded,
admissible
in the sense of logical
Definition
reasonable because of facts or events
There was a logical explanation.
Synonyms
reasonable,
obvious,
sensible,
most likely,
natural,
necessary,
wise,
plausible,
judicious
in the sense of lucid
Definition
clear and easily understood
His prose is always lucid and compelling.
Synonyms
clear,
obvious,
plain,
evident,
distinct,
explicit,
transparent,
clear-cut,
crystal clear,
comprehensible,
intelligible,
limpid,
pellucid
in the sense of natural
Definition
as is normal or to be expected
A period of depression is a natural response to bereavement.