tactile

[ tak-til, -tahyl ]

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, endowed with, or affecting the sense of touch.
2. perceptible to the touch; tangible.

tactile

/ ˈtæktaɪl; tækˈtɪlɪtɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, affecting, or having a sense of touch

   a tactile organ

   tactile stimuli

2. rare.
   capable of being touched; tangible

tactile

/ tăk′təl,tăk′tīl′ /

1. Used for or sensitive to touch.

Derived Forms

• tactility, noun

Other Words From

• tac·til·i·ty [tak-, til, -i-tee], noun
• non·tactile adjective
• nontac·tili·ty noun
• un·tactile adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tactile¹

1605–15; < Latin tāctilis tangible, equivalent to tāct ( us ) (past participle of tangere to touch) + -ilis -ile

Word History and Origins

Origin of tactile¹

C17: from Latin tactilis, from tangere to touch

Example Sentences

MR is more tactile, using objects in the real world in tandem with the user's view of a digital world to create a physically engaging experience.

From BBC

This cloth quarter-bound hardcover book is printed on tactile, uncoated papers, and will be available to purchase at this release event.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s just another example of how the tactile shopping experience is competing with the attention economy.

From Slate

Someone has left their Lime bike in the middle of the pavement, in the way of a road crossing with tactile paving that is used by visually impaired people.

From BBC

Alex Proyas’ 1994 fever dream “The Crow,” adapted from James O’Barr’s graphic novel, understood that appeal implicitly, serving up tactile gothic vengeance in a dashed Detroit with the panache of a circus grotesque.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• palpable