tangible

adjective tan·gi·ble \ ˈtan-jə-bəl \

Updated on: 21 May 2018

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

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tangibility

play \ˌtan-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

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tangibleness

play \ˈtan-jə-bəl-nəs\ noun

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tangibly

play \ˈtan-jə-blē\ adverb

See tangible defined for English-language learners

See tangible defined for kids

Examples of tangible in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of tangible from the Web

Clinging to Tara’s anguished face, Laurie Rose’s camera scrutinizes an unhappiness that builds to an almost tangible desperation.

— New York Times, "Review: A Married Woman Longs for ‘The Escape’," 10 May 2018
The move was North Korea’s most tangible gesture aimed at improving relations with the United States since Trump took office.

— peter baker, BostonGlobe.com, "Releasing three, North Koreans signal openness ahead of summit," 10 May 2018
While the summit certainly produced historical images, experts were also surprised about more tangible results.

— joyce lee, Washington Post, "The historic Kim-Moon meeting as it unfolded," 27 Apr. 2018
But some researchers want more tangible proof, because the study relies on associations found in massive data sets.

— roni dengler, Science | AAAS, "How the virus behind ‘kissing disease’ may increase your risk for autoimmune diseases like lupus," 16 Apr. 2018
That’s kind of the most tangible right now, what is the biggest technology for us.

— recode staff, Recode, "Full transcript: Yelp CEO Jeremy Stoppelman on Recode Decode," 15 Apr. 2018
But even without student loans, the financial realities of adulthood are becoming tangible as graduation begins to draw near.

— margot nelson, Teen Vogue, "Why Financial Literacy Is So Important," 9 Apr. 2018
The issue of take-home versus dine-in might become more tangible as the idyllic spring becomes the unbearable summer that drives diners indoors — and there is very little indoors here.

— mike sutter, San Antonio Express-News, "Review: Outlaw Kitchens sets a neighborly table in Alta Vista," 5 Apr. 2018
But the more tangible help has come from national party and outside groups, which have offset Saccone’s poor personal fund-raising with an estimated $9 million in spending.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "A Special Showdown in Trump Country," 11 Mar. 2018

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.

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.

Origin and Etymology of tangible

Late Latin tangibilis, from Latin tangere to touch

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1589

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

tangible Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of tangible

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

tangible

noun tan·gi·ble \ ˈtan-jə-bəl \

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

Examples of tangible in a Sentence

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 of tangible from the Web

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

Origin and Etymology of tangible

see ¹tangible

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1890

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

TANGIBLE Defined for English Language Learners

tangible

adjective

: easily seen or recognized
: able to be touched or felt

TANGIBLE Defined for Kids

tangible

adjective tan·gi·ble \ ˈtan-jə-bəl \

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

—

tangibly

\-blē\ adverb

Word Root of tangible

The Latin word tangere, meaning “to touch,” and its form tactus give us the roots tang and tact. Words from the Latin tangere have something to do with touching. Something tangible is able to be touched. Contact is a meeting or touching of people or things. Something intact is unharmed, whole, and untouched. Anything tactile relates to the sense of touch.