tangible

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adjective tan·gi·ble \ˈtan-jə-bəl\

Definition of tangible

1a : capable of being perceived especially by the sense of touch : palpableb : 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

tangibility

play \ˌtan-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

tangibleness

play \ˈtan-jə-bəl-nəs\ noun

tangibly

play \-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

The price works out to 169 percent of Sun’s recent tangible book value, a 12.7-cent premium per dollar of core deposits, and 14.5 times Sun’s expected 2018 earnings, including projected cost cuts.

— joseph n. distefano, Philly.com, "Shore lender buys Sun Bank from Wilbur Ross, Brown family for $487M", 30 June 2017
Benigni is a joy to watch, his charm and humor tangible, but there aren't enough tissues in the world to stop the flood that’s about to ensue.

— deanna janes, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Best Tearjerker Movies Of All Time", 27 June 2017
Importantly, this rise has translated into tangible benefits.

— andre tartar, Bloomberg.com, "China's Rags-to-Riches Transformation Isn't Over Yet", 25 June 2017
Part of Trump’s appeal is that his wealth appears to be made by building big, tangible things.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Populist President Says He’d Rather Get Economic Advice From Wall Street Than ‘a Poor Person’", 22 June 2017
The Republican sweep of these contests—in Kansas, Montana, Georgia, and South Carolina, where Trump tapped House members to join his Cabinet—does have some tangible consequences.

— ronald brownstein, The Atlantic, "What Democrats' Defeat in Georgia Means—and Doesn't", 21 June 2017
Seeing kids embrace the ocean and ride a wave, or learn to express themselves through music and the arts is a tangible step in overcoming fear.

— lisa deaderick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Switchfoot combines love of music and surfing with community in Bro-Am", 18 June 2017
The most tangible change will be an end to a directive that allowed for individuals to plan their own trips to Cuba, a provision that essentially ended a U.S. ban on travel.

— felicia schwartz, WSJ, "Trump Announces Rollback of Obama’s Cuba Policy", 17 June 2017
In a brief session with the media, Goodell spoke to one of the tangible aspects of his apparent effort.

— vahe gregorian, kansascity.com, "Vahe Gregorian: Tin-eared Roger Goodell shows another side by listening", 16 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.

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

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First Known Use: 1589

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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

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noun tan·gi·ble \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 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

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

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First Known Use: 1890

See Words from the same year

TANGIBLE Defined for English Language Learners

tangible

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adjective

Definition of tangible for English Language Learners

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

TANGIBLE Defined for Kids

tangible

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adjective tan·gi·ble \ˈtan-jə-bəl\

Definition of tangible for Students

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.