tangible

adjective

tan·gi·ble | \ ˈtan-jə-bəl

Definition of tangible

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

tangible

noun

tan·gi·ble | \ ˈtan-jə-bəl

Definition of tangible (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Other Words from tangible Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about tangible

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from tangible

Adjective

tangibility \ ˌtan-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē

\ noun

tangibleness \ ˈtan-jə-bəl-nəs

\ noun

tangibly \ ˈtan-jə-blē

\ adverb

Synonyms & Antonyms for tangible

Synonyms: Adjective

palpable, touchable

Antonyms: Adjective

impalpable, intangible

Choose the Right Synonym for tangible

Adjective

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

Did You Know?

Something that's literally tangible can be touched. A rock is tangible, and so is a broken window; if the rock is lying next to the window, it could be tangible evidence of vandalism. When we say that the tension in a room is tangible, we mean we feel it so strongly that it seems almost physical. But if we're being literal, tension, like hope, happiness, and hunger, is literally intangible—it may be real, but it can't be touched. When lawyers talk about an intangible asset, they might mean something like a company's good reputation—very valuable, but not quite touchable.

Examples of tangible in a Sentence

Adjective

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 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 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 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 There is no tangible evidence to support her claim. Their sense of relief was almost tangible.

Noun

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 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 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

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Pulling the plug on an entire airline with no advance notice left upwards of 2,700 passengers stranded on both sides of the Atlantic, left in the lurch without a tangible promise of refunds or a way to get home. — Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, "Are the Discount Airlines Doomed?," 29 Mar. 2019 Wonder Woman’s defining message is that there's strength in being feminine, and hers is tangible. — Jill Gutowitz, Glamour, "Captain Marvel Is a New Kind of Female Hero," 11 Mar. 2019 That good cheer is tangible throughout the other Time Inc. properties temporary owner Meredith Corp. is still trying to sell. — Peter Kafka, Recode, "After Benioff’s big deal, Time is bringing back the bar cart," 17 Sep. 2018 And his absence is tangible, like the silence after a mighty roar. — Caroline Houck, Vox, "George W. Bush honors McCain as “unwavering, undimmed, unequal”," 1 Sep. 2018 In a time when most people read books via a tablet or e-reader, two local nonprofits hope to bring children back to a time when publications were more tangible. — Anthony Clark Carpio, latimes.com, "Local Rotary clubs donate little free libraries to Burbank," 9 June 2018 Thursday’s ruling upholding the concept that even computer code is tangible may embolden prosecutors to go after more employees who steal computer code. — Chris Dolmetsch, Bloomberg.com, "Ex-Goldman Sachs Programmer’s Conviction Upheld in New York," 3 May 2018 The benefits to consumers from Refinery 46 are less tangible, but shouldn't be overlooked. — James Briggs, Indianapolis Star, "Briggs: This Broad Ripple warehouse could help fix the hellscape of home service contractors," 6 Apr. 2018 The Pew Charitable Trusts works with philanthropists to make long-lasting, powerful, positive change—always based on solid research and tangible goals. — Town & Country, "Town & Country's 2017 Philanthropy Summit," 11 Apr. 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Far more important is the subjective feel of a tire, as well as other tangibles like noise, road harshness and, of course, price. — Mike Allen, Popular Mechanics, "Tire Comparison Test: What Rubber Should You Choose?," 16 July 2010 Wagner brings plenty of tangibles to the table for NBA teams to consider. — Tim Hackett, SI.com, "Embraced by a Home Away from Home, Moritz Wagner Is Finally Ready for a New Challenge," 12 June 2018 Despite these aforementioned tangibles being in place, Roberto Baggio still missed his spot kick. — SI.com, "World Cup Countdown: 6 Weeks to Go - Roberto Baggio & the Elusive Daemon of Genius," 13 May 2018 But there are tangibles for the rookies to learn on the court as well. — Mike Richman, OregonLive.com, "Trail Blazers' rookies Zach Collins, Caleb Swanigan join crowded rotation in Portland," 27 June 2017 Catherine Golladay, a senior vice president and 20-year veteran of Schwab, said those are some of the tangibles. — Plain Dealer Business Staff, cleveland.com, "Charles Schwab earns top spot among large employers, with paid sabbaticals, volunteer work: Top Workplaces 2017," 18 June 2017 So focus on the tangibles, not the potential shadiness (noise is noise, innocent or not). — Andrea Bonior, chicagotribune.com, "I'm not into him but he won't stop texting me. Other than ghosting, what can I do?," 7 June 2017

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about tangible

Dictionary Entries near tangible

Statistics for tangible

Last Updated

8 Apr 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for tangible

The first known use of tangible was in 1589

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for tangible

tangible

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of tangible

: easily seen or recognized

: able to be touched or felt

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

tangible

adjective

tan·gi·ble | \ ˈtan-jə-bəl

Kids Definition of tangible

1 : possible to touch or handle : material Sometimes he pursued the call into the forest, looking for it as though it were a tangible thing …— Jack London, The Call of the Wild

2 : easily seen or recognized tangible benefits