tangible
Americanadjective
-
capable of being touched; discernible by the touch; material or substantial.
-
real or actual, rather than imaginary or visionary.
the tangible benefits of sunshine.
- Synonyms:
- perceptible, genuine, certain
-
definite; not vague or elusive.
no tangible grounds for suspicion.
- Synonyms:
- specific
-
(of an asset) having actual physical existence, as real estate or chattels, and therefore capable of being assigned a value in monetary terms.
noun
adjective
-
capable of being touched or felt; having real substance
a tangible object
-
capable of being clearly grasped by the mind; substantial rather than imaginary
tangible evidence
-
having a physical existence; corporeal
tangible assets
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of tangible
First recorded in 1580–90; from Late Latin tangibilis, from Latin tang(ere) “to touch” + -ibilis -ible; cf. tangent ( def. )
Explanation
When you can touch something, it's tangible: "I need tangible proof that aliens exist — I want to shake their little green hands!" Tangible is from Latin tangere, "to touch," and it simply means something that can be touched or felt, though it can be used in metaphorical senses: tangible assets have a value that can be precisely measured, and tangible grief can be clearly sensed by an onlooker. So you might not need to physically touch something for it to be tangible, but it has to be grounded in the real world of facts.
Vocabulary lists containing tangible
"The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell
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!
The Real Deal: Synonyms for "True"
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!
List 7
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.
Constitution can work as it was intended, to offer tangible protections for each and every one of us.
From Slate ● Jul. 27, 2026
The criticism surrounding Fire Point has had at least one tangible consequence, she acknowledges: some projects with foreign partners were delayed for several months for additional compliance procedures.
From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026
The Makerfield MP and former mayor of Greater Manchester is expected to argue that political stability must deliver "tangible" improvements along with "giving people more breathing room" on the cost of living.
From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026
Fears of AI overspending have weighed heavily on tech names in recent weeks, as the market looks for a tangible return on investment.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 16, 2026
The feeding habits of all these birds not only make them especially vulnerable to insect sprays but also make their loss a deplorable one for economic as well as less tangible reasons.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
Definitions 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.
