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
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The Real Deal: Synonyms for "True"
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List 7
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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.
This is true, but it is also true for a tangible business.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 1, 2026
Presidents have done so 132 times; each time, Congress has assented or at least not objected in any tangible way.
From Slate • Jun. 29, 2026
"We have to see tangible progress on a couple of these big ideas," he said.
From BBC • Jun. 27, 2026
In Tehran meanwhile, people told AFP that despite the diplomatic progress, there had so far been no tangible benefits in everyday life.
From Barron's • Jun. 26, 2026
The other, less tangible factor is the lure of Ted’s approval.
From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich
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.
