palpable

adjective

pal·pa·ble | \ ˈpal-pə-bəl

Definition of palpable

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

Other Words from palpable Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Feel Out the Definition of Palpable More Example Sentences Learn More about palpable

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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

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."

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 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 As pushcart vendors manned the stadium concourses, ringing bicycle bells and selling E-lados ice cream in paper cups, and concessionaires poured shots of Cutty Sark and blended piña coladas, there was a palpable sense of spirit. — Daniel G. Habib, Sports Illustrated, 21 Apr. 2003 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

Regardless of how his films have been received as of late, the passion with which Travolta takes on each role is palpable. — Sonia Rao, chicagotribune.com, "John Travolta is in the Rotten Tomatoes clunker, ‘no regrets’ stage of his career - and is enjoying every minute of it," 29 Aug. 2019 Her absence is palpable, leaving us to wonder if there is still a trace of bad blood between her and her ex-boss/onetime paramour. — Mara Reinstein, Billboard, "'Hitsville: The Making of Motown' Is Stylish, Slick and Safe," 23 Aug. 2019 The disappointment among the obituary writers that the author did not submit then and there to her fictional destiny was palpable. — Rachel Cusk, The New Yorker, "Françoise Sagan, the Great Interrogator of Morality," 21 Aug. 2019 The optimism of the workers is palpable; the access the filmmakers secured remarkable. — Manohla Dargis, New York Times, "‘American Factory’ Review: The New Global Haves and Have-Nots," 20 Aug. 2019 Now, the fear among Latino people is palpable. Latinos are calling this a turning point. — AZCentral.com, "After El Paso, Latinos across America voice a new kind of fear," 16 Aug. 2019 When the dizzying combination ended with her feet firmly on the floor — if barely in bounds — the jolt through the packed arena was palpable. — Will Graves, SFChronicle.com, "Simone Biles soars to her sixth US gymnastics title," 11 Aug. 2019 That tension is palpable in Arizona, a state with an ardent gun culture as well as a growing population of newcomers seeking sun, jobs and affordable housing in the suburbs that ring Phoenix. — oregonlive.com, "Suburban voters are pressuring Republicans to act on guns," 18 Aug. 2019 That risk is palpable in the film, even on repeated viewings. — New York Times, "One Night. One Chance. One Liza (With a ‘Z’).," 1 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'palpable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

8 Sep 2019

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

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More Definitions for palpable

palpable

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of palpable

formal : obvious and noticeable

See the full definition for palpable in the English Language Learners Dictionary

palpable

adjective

pal·pa·ble | \ ˈpal-pə-bəl

Medical Definition of palpable

: 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