tangible

American  

[tan-juh-buhl] / ˈtæn dʒə bəl /

adjective

1. capable of being touched; discernible by the touch; material or substantial.

   Synonyms:

   corporeal, palpable

2. real or actual, rather than imaginary or visionary.

   the tangible benefits of sunshine.

   Synonyms:

   perceptible, genuine, certain

3. definite; not vague or elusive.

   no tangible grounds for suspicion.

   Synonyms:

   specific

4. (of an asset) having actual physical existence, as real estate or chattels, and therefore capable of being assigned a value in monetary terms.

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noun

1. something tangible, especially a tangible asset.

tangible British  

/ ˈtændʒəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being touched or felt; having real substance

   a tangible object

2. capable of being clearly grasped by the mind; substantial rather than imaginary

   tangible evidence

3. having a physical existence; corporeal

   tangible assets

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noun

1. (often plural) a tangible thing or asset

Other Word Forms

• nontangible adjective
• nontangibleness noun
• nontangibly adverb
• pretangible adjective
• pretangibly adverb
• quasi-tangible adjective
• quasi-tangibly adverb
• tangibility noun
• tangibleness noun
• tangibly adverb
• untangible adjective

Etymology

Origin of tangible

First recorded in 1580–90; from Late Latin tangibilis, from Latin tang(ere) “to touch” + -ibilis -ible; tangent ( def. )

Example Sentences

Voters in conversations across California consistently expressed pragmatic priorities focused on tangible governance challenges—traffic, housing affordability, homelessness, fire prevention, and crime—rather than entertainment value or the aura of political outsiders.

From Los Angeles Times

The Trans Mountain expansion, which began operating last year, is the most tangible step so far, giving Canadian oil a clearer path to overseas buyers in Asia.

From Barron's

"This offers a tangible path toward creating a medication that has a similar quieting effect as meditation."

From Science Daily

Some investors are concerned that tech companies are spending too much, but haven’t yet seen tangible returns on those investments.

From Barron's

Some investors are concerned that tech companies are spending too much, but haven’t yet seen tangible returns on those investments.

From Barron's