tactile

[tak-til, -tahyl]

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, endowed with, or affecting the sense of touch.

2. perceptible to the touch; tangible.

tactile

/ ˈtæktaɪl, tækˈtɪlɪtɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, affecting, or having a sense of touch

   a tactile organ

   tactile stimuli

2. rare,  capable of being touched; tangible

tactile

1. Used for or sensitive to touch.

Other Word Forms

• tactility noun
• nontactile adjective
• nontactility noun
• untactile adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tactile¹

1605–15; < Latin tāctilis tangible, equivalent to tāct ( us ) (past participle of tangere to touch) + -ilis -ile

Word History and Origins

Origin of tactile¹

C17: from Latin tactilis, from tangere to touch

Example Sentences

This tactile awareness means I don’t think of percussion as just rhythm or attack.

From Los Angeles Times

When Anni Albers published her theoretical magnum opus “On Weaving” in 1965, she was already lamenting the loss of our tactile sensibilities, which have undeniably worsened in the digital era.

From Los Angeles Times

The series’ American and local Thai crew worked together to go through “Alien” frame by frame to recreate that specific retro-futuristic look for the Maginot, complete with tactile hulls and cathode-ray tube screens.

From Salon

It shuts me down because it’s so tactile and so repetitive.

From Los Angeles Times

The transition from the digital world to the tactile process of ceramics was a turning point in her artistic journey.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• palpable