palpable
Americanadjective
-
(usually prenominal) easily perceived by the senses or the mind; obvious
the excuse was a palpable lie
-
capable of being touched; tangible
-
med capable of being discerned by the sense of touch
a palpable tumour
Other Word Forms
- nonpalpability noun
- nonpalpable adjective
- nonpalpably adverb
- palpability noun
- palpableness noun
- palpably adverb
- unpalpable adjective
- unpalpably adverb
Etymology
Origin of palpable
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin palpābilis “touchable,” from palpā(re) “to stroke, touch” ( see palpate 1) + -bilis -ble
Explanation
When something is palpable, you can touch or handle it, even though the word is often used to describe things that usually can't be handled or touched, such as emotions or sensations. You probably won't see palpable used to describe, say, an egg or a doorknob or a motorcycle. Palpable is usually reserved for situations in which something invisible becomes so intense that it feels as though it has substance or weight. Someone who has experienced a death in the family might say that her grief feels palpable.
Vocabulary lists containing palpable
The Giver
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Power Suffix: -able
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Grade 10, List 1
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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.
The excitement was palpable Sunday, opening day for David Geffen Galleries, LACMA’s new $724-million building that’s been sparking debate since its inception.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026
On Wednesday, there was a palpable sense of relief in Dubai, Doha and Kuwait that these Gulf cities avoided potentially catastrophic Iranian retaliatory strikes on their own power plants and water desalination facilities.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026
A renewed enthusiasm for nuclear power is palpable in Europe:
From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026
Despite the palpable tension in the room, Japan still offered up billions of dollars in U.S. infrastructure investments.
From Barron's • Mar. 22, 2026
But the sorrow was still so palpable; she could almost taste it.
From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older
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.
