palpable
American
adjective
-
(usually prenominal) easily perceived by the senses or the mind; obvious
the excuse was a palpable lie
-
capable of being touched; tangible
-
med capable of being discerned by the sense of touch
a palpable tumour
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of palpable
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin palpābilis “touchable,” from palpā(re) “to stroke, touch” ( see palpate 1) + -bilis -ble
Explanation
When something is palpable, you can touch or handle it, even though the word is often used to describe things that usually can't be handled or touched, such as emotions or sensations. You probably won't see palpable used to describe, say, an egg or a doorknob or a motorcycle. Palpable is usually reserved for situations in which something invisible becomes so intense that it feels as though it has substance or weight. Someone who has experienced a death in the family might say that her grief feels palpable.
Vocabulary lists containing palpable
The Giver
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Power Suffix: -able
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Grade 10, List 1
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The crux of this story is on Nelson and Morrison’s shoulders, and their sincerity flies in the face of good judgment and self-editing, giving viewers a palpable sense of their egos.
From Salon ● Nov. 1, 2026
There are also archival pictures of some asylum inmates, their desperation almost palpable.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
"The war has been palpable for a long time. It's knocking at our door," said Valeri Baronov, a 71-year-old entrepreneur from Krapets.
From Barron's ● Oct. 14, 2026
But the possibility of larger economic costs are become more palpable.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026
In its absence it left an aura, a palpable shimmering that was as plain to see as the water in a river or the sun in the sky.
From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
