noun B2 Upper-Intermediate

accessibility

ak-ses-uh-BIL-uh-tee

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Accessibility (noun) means the degree to which a place, product, service or website can be used by people with disabilities. Example: “The app failed a basic accessibility audit because none of the images had alt text.”

noun

The degree to which a place, product, service or website can be used by people with disabilities.

"The app failed a basic accessibility audit because none of the images had alt text."

"Wheelchair accessibility was the first thing they checked before booking the venue."

The quality of being easy to reach, enter or obtain.

"The cottage is charming, but its accessibility in winter is a real problem."

The quality of being easy to understand or approach.

"The accessibility of her writing is what makes her physics books sell."

How to use accessibility

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHow easily everyone, including disabled people, can use or reach something.

When to use it

Neutral. Now most often used in the disability and design sense, especially in tech and public services.

Memory tip

Often shortened to a11y in tech writing — the 11 letters between the a and the y.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

accessibility / availability accessibility / accessible

Common pairings

web accessibility accessibility settings accessibility audit wheelchair accessibility digital accessibility

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “accessibility” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The app failed a basic _____ audit because none of the images had alt text.

Etymology

From Latin accessibilis, from accedere 'to approach', from ad- 'to' + cedere 'to go'.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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usability inclusivity availability reachability proximity clarity approachability availableness handiness

Antonyms

inaccessibility remoteness

Related words

clear access neighborhood confusion availability isolation convenience transparency

Rhymes for accessibility

city pity deity acuity parity entity brevity opacity paucity ability quality reality

See all rhymes for accessibility →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between accessibility and usability?

Usability is about how easy something is for anyone to use. Accessibility is about whether people with disabilities can use it at all — including those using screen readers, keyboards only, or captions. A product can be highly usable for most people and still fail on accessibility.

What is the accessibility setting on my phone?

It is the menu that adjusts the device for different needs — text size, screen readers such as VoiceOver or TalkBack, colour filters, captions and touch sensitivity. On both iPhone and Android it sits inside the main Settings app.

What does web accessibility mean in practice?

It means building pages that work for assistive technology: text alternatives for images, enough colour contrast, full keyboard navigation and correct heading structure. The WCAG guidelines are the standard most organisations are measured against.

What is the meaning of accessibility?

"accessibility" (noun) means the degree to which a place, product, service or website can be used by people with disabilities.

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clear access neighborhood confusion availability isolation convenience transparency