palpable

adjective

pal·​pa·​ble ˈpal-pə-bəl How to pronounce palpable (audio)
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
palpability noun
palpably adverb

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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."

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

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
There's a palpable feeling of community here: owner Lee McLemore stocks the store with a surprisingly large wine selection, police chief Andy Williams moonlights in the prepared-foods section and barbecues in the parking lot, and George Watkins personally fills the shelves with his superb tupelo honey. Todd Coleman, Saveur, October 2006
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
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 For those inside the makeshift government-building-turned-shelter, the hunger is palpable. Matt Rivers, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2024 In the pre-dawn hours before the eclipse, the anticipation was palpable, like awaiting New Year’s on the brink of the millennium, with the astro-enthusiasts counting down to totality. Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 19 Mar. 2024 The fourth episode is built around a lavish party with dozens of extras, elaborate dance choreography, and both the size of the budget and the level of affection for the period are palpable throughout. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2024 In Renaissance Italy, the feeling of being powerless was palpable in many of the letters that women wrote. Pragya Agarwal, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Mar. 2024 Her genuine love for music is palpable, creating a connection that extends beyond her vocal talent. Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024 His delight in learning there, for example, that flowers evolved to bloom in brilliant hues because insects had color vision—and not the other way around—is palpable. Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 16 Mar. 2024 Last month, as Nvidia posted another record-breaking quarterly report, the fervor around the company was palpable on social media. Taylor Telford, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 The excitement for the best casting category arriving in 2026 is palpable, but there’s potential for further expansion. Clayton Davis, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'palpable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin palpabilis, from Latin palpare to stroke, caress — more at feel

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near palpable

Cite this Entry

“Palpable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/palpable. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

palpable

adjective
pal·​pa·​ble ˈpal-pə-bəl How to pronounce palpable (audio)
1
: capable of being touched or felt : tangible
2
: easily sensed : noticeable
3
: easily understood or recognized : obvious
a palpable error
palpability noun
palpably adverb

Medical Definition

palpable

adjective
pal·​pa·​ble ˈpal-pə-bəl How to pronounce palpable (audio)
: 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

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