tangible

¹tan·gi·ble

adjective \ˈtan-jə-bəl\

Definition of TANGIBLE

1

a : capable of being perceived especially by the sense of touch : palpable

b : substantially real : material

2

: capable of being precisely identified or realized by the mind <her grief was tangible>

3

: capable of being appraised at an actual or approximate value <tangible assets>

— tan·gi·bil·i·ty \ˌtan-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— tan·gi·ble·ness \ˈtan-jə-bəl-nəs\ noun

— tan·gi·bly \-blē\ adverb

Examples of TANGIBLE

1. There is no tangible evidence to support her claim.
2. Their sense of relief was almost tangible.
3. These days, an environmentally conscious motorist can walk into a Toyota or Honda dealer and snap up an efficient gasoline-electric hybrid, but the omega point of green driving—the pollution-free hydrogen fuel cell vehicle—is so elusive that one wonders if it will ever become tangible. —Brad Lemley, Discover, October 2002
4. Piniella has no interest in casino gambling, but the horses and the stock market have fascinated him because, he discovered, the payoff is in the satisfaction of doping out the winner as much as it is in the tangible reward. —Frank Deford, Sports Illustrated, 19 Mar. 2001
5. This barbed wire, this flattened earth opposite Louie's bestrewn yard, served as a tangible reminder that I was an outsider looking in … —Julie Matheson, Geographical Review, January-April 2001
6. Traveling alone does have tangible drawbacks: One of the biggest is cost. Taking a trip alone is normally more expensive for one than for half of a pair. —Betsy Wade, New York Times, 20 July 1997

Origin of TANGIBLE

Late Latin tangibilis, from Latin tangere to touch

First Known Use: 1589

Related to TANGIBLE

Synonyms

palpable, touchable

Antonyms

impalpable, intangible

Related Words

tactile; corporeal, physical; actual, concrete, embodied, existent, material, real, substantial; appreciable, detectable, discernible (also discernable), noticeable, observable, perceptible, seeable, sensible, visible

Near Antonyms

bodiless, formless, immaterial, incorporeal, insubstantial, nonmaterial, nonphysical, unbodied, unsubstantial; abstract, ethereal, spiritual, unreal, virtual; imperceptible, insensible

See Synonym Discussion at perceptible

Rhymes with TANGIBLE

frangible

²tan·gi·ble

noun \ˈtan-jə-bəl\

Definition of TANGIBLE

: something that is tangible (see ¹tangible); especially : an asset capable of being appraised at an actual or approximate value

Examples of TANGIBLE

1. In this agora, the price of what you buy and sell need bear no implacable relationship to any tangibles. —Jodie Allen, New Republic, 5 June 2000
2. The nightly highlight packages confront old-timers with videotaped evidence that they didn't have the same tangibles as today's NBA players. —Alexander Wolff, Sports Illustrated Classic, Fall 1991
3. They were betting that inflation would drive prices much higher. The smart speculator could then sell the commodities or other tangibles, repay the loans, and reap a quick profit. —William Greider, New Yorker, 9 Nov. 1987

Origin of TANGIBLE

(see ¹tangible)

First Known Use: 1890