palpable

adjective

pal·pa·ble ˈpal-pə-bəl

: capable of being touched or felt : tangible

palpable lymph nodes

: easily perceptible : noticeable

a palpable difference

The attraction between them was palpable.

: easily perceptible by the mind : manifest

palpability

ˌpal-pə-ˈbi-lə-tē

noun

palpably

ˈpal-pə-blē

adverb

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Feel Out the Definition of Palpable

The word palpable has been used in English since the 14th century. It derives from the Latin word palpare, meaning "to stroke" or "to caress"—the same root that gives us the word palpitation. The Latin verb is also a linguistic ancestor of the verb feel. Palpable can be used to describe things that can be felt through the skin, such as a person's pulse, but even more frequently it is used in reference to things that cannot be touched but are still so easy to perceive that it is as though they could be touched—such as "a palpable tension in the air."

Choose the Right Synonym for palpable

perceptible, sensible, palpable, tangible, appreciable, ponderable mean apprehensible as real or existent.

perceptible applies to what can be discerned by the senses often to a minimal extent.

a perceptible difference in sound to a careful listener

sensible applies to whatever is clearly apprehended through the senses or impresses itself strongly on the mind.

an abrupt, sensible drop in temperature

palpable applies either to what has physical substance or to what is obvious and unmistakable.

the tension in the air was almost palpable

tangible suggests what is capable of being handled or grasped both physically and mentally.

no tangible evidence of UFOs

appreciable applies to what is distinctly discernible by the senses or definitely measurable.

an appreciable increase in income

ponderable suggests having definitely measurable weight or importance.

exerted a ponderable influence on world events

Example Sentences

A positive patch-test result, measured by a visible and palpable localized response, denotes a delayed hypersensitivity response …

Simon Kallal et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 7 Feb. 2008 There's a palpable feeling of community here: owner Lee McLemore stocks the store with a surprisingly large wine selection, police chief Andy Williams moonlights in the prepared-foods section and barbecues in the parking lot, and George Watkins personally fills the shelves with his superb tupelo honey.

Todd Coleman, Saveur, October 2006 When I'm back in nature after months of walking around on concrete and living in boxes, I feel a palpable internal shift.

Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth, 2006 I felt a palpable sense of relief. The attraction between them was palpable. There was a palpable excitement in the air as the town prepared for the festival. See More

Recent Examples on the Web The possible consequences of Saturday’s defeat to Australia, though, were palpable: After the game, midfielder Ali Abdi was in tears on the field.

Andrew Das Andrew Das Andrew Das Sam Manchester Andrew Das The New York Times Rory Smith Rory Smith Victor Mather, New York Times, 26 Nov. 2022 The energy accumulated throughout the event was palpable that evening.

The Editors, Outside Online, 22 Nov. 2022 Within the first few seconds of the third season of HBO's We’re Here, the danger is palpable.

Samuel Maude, ELLE, 22 Nov. 2022 His relief at not being more decisively rebuffed by the voters midway through his term has been palpable.

Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 22 Nov. 2022 Some items are palpable, others invisible, still others subject to change.

cleveland, 21 Nov. 2022 The energy was palpable in El Rinconcito Ecuatoriano, an Ecuadorian restaurant in Irving Park with walls covered in artisanal paintings and crafts.

Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 20 Nov. 2022 Herrera’s passion for still photography is palpable in every frame of the film, especially as Emma begins to see the environment around her with new eyes.

Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 17 Nov. 2022 The momentum is palpable, and the focus is clear: Tiafoe is ready and primed to add to his legacy.

Nick Remsen, Vogue, 17 Nov. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'palpable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.