palpable

adjective

pal·​pa·​ble ˈpal-pə-bəl How to pronounce palpable (audio)
1
: capable of being touched or felt : tangible
palpable lymph nodes
2
: easily perceptible : noticeable
a palpable difference
The attraction between them was palpable.
3
: easily perceptible by the mind : manifest
palpability noun
palpably 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

Examples of palpable in a Sentence

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.
Recent Examples on the Web At the piece’s start, Henry (Ricky Ubeda) leaves the bed of his partner, Douglas (Ahmad Simmons), with a palpable grief. Gloria Oladipo, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 The quiet, monthslong dispute between the White House and senior GOP leadership over the funding request became heated this week, as the prospect of Haiti’s government falling to gangs became a palpable fear across Washington. Michael Wilner, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024 During a concert, there is a palpable sense of community—and country music history in the making—as surprise guests drop in for unexpected duets and connect with old friends while covering country classics or debuting new tunes. Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024 Fortune seems to be favoring one of them in particular, however, and there’s the palpable sense that history is about to be made come Oscar night. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 4 Mar. 2024 Here, Nolan brings in the same sound technique — palpable, clashing silence — in a way that almost precisely echoes the Trinity sequence. Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2024 Willard’s energy and drive only adds to a feeling of re-invigoration that’s palpable on the songs from the new album as they’re transferred to the stage. Courtney Devores, Charlotte Observer, 28 Feb. 2024 The through lines are maybe more palpable among some peers than others. Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 The paintings are not literal landscapes, but the inspiration is palpable. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'palpable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin palpabilis, from Latin palpare to stroke, caress — more at feel

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of palpable was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near palpable

Cite this Entry

“Palpable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/palpable. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

palpable

adjective
pal·​pa·​ble ˈpal-pə-bəl How to pronounce palpable (audio)
1
: capable of being touched or felt : tangible
2
: easily sensed : noticeable
3
: easily understood or recognized : obvious
a palpable error
palpability noun
palpably adverb

Medical Definition

palpable

adjective
pal·​pa·​ble ˈpal-pə-bəl How to pronounce palpable (audio)
: capable of being touched or felt
especially : capable of being examined by palpation
the tip of the spleen was questionably palpable Journal of the American Medical Association

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