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” ( palpate 1 ) + -bilis -ble
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 house needn’t be fleshed out to be made to seem real, but since it plays such an important role in the play, its presence onstage ought to at least be palpable to the characters.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026
As of this writing, no matter where you’re flying from, the panic remains palpable.
From Slate • Mar. 24, 2026
In a post on Facebook, the council also quoted eyewitnesses as saying that the shock wave was palpable, and all emergency services quickly arrived at the scene.
From BBC • Mar. 23, 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
Kabuo Miyamoto, his net set, his radio off, the fog as palpable as cotton around him, replaced the line he’d left on Carl’s boat with a reserve he kept stowed in his galley.
From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson
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.