tactile
Americanadjective
-
of, pertaining to, endowed with, or affecting the sense of touch.
-
perceptible to the touch; tangible.
adjective
-
of, relating to, affecting, or having a sense of touch
a tactile organ
tactile stimuli
-
rare capable of being touched; tangible
Other Word Forms
- nontactile adjective
- nontactility noun
- tactility noun
- untactile adjective
Etymology
Origin of tactile
1605–15; < Latin tāctilis tangible, equivalent to tāct ( us ) (past participle of tangere to touch) + -ilis -ile
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.
“Kids in the preschool and kindergarten years really benefit from hands-on play and tactile learning experiences,” she said.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026
In addition to the tactile experience, I really enjoy the actual process of trying to find new things to read.
From Slate • Mar. 8, 2026
Preparing food becomes a regulatory act — a way to channel overwhelming emotion into something tactile and nourishing.
From Salon • Feb. 15, 2026
Historically, tactile sensing always seemed like a technology that was 10 years away, Lepora says.
From BBC • Feb. 12, 2026
Music should be taught through the tactile, kinesthetic, aural, and visual senses.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
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.
