palpable C2+ Topic:Actions & Processes US /ˈpælpəbəl/ UK /ˈpælpəbəl/ See IPA manual Meanings 1 adj able to be touched or felt; so intense as to seem tangible The tension in the courtroom was almost palpable as the verdict neared. Thesaurus Synonyms 1 adj · able to be touched or felt;... tangibleperceptibleapparentevidentmanifestobviousdiscernible ↔ Opposites intangibleimperceptibleimpalpablesubtleobscure Word family Forms palpably Derived forms palpablypalpability Related forms palpatepalpation Etymology AI details From Late Latin palpabilis 'that may be touched or felt', from Latin palpare 'to touch gently, stroke'. palpabilis Latin palpare Latin View etymology graph -> Topics Actions & Processes Word Formation & Derivatives External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # palpable **Type:** Word **Level:** C2+ **Part of speech:** adj **IPA (US):** /ˈpælpəbəl/ **IPA (UK):** /ˈpælpəbəl/ ## Meanings 1. able to be touched or felt; so intense as to seem tangible ## Examples - The tension in the courtroom was almost palpable as the verdict neared. ## Synonyms - tangible - perceptible - apparent - evident - manifest - obvious - discernible ## Antonyms - intangible - imperceptible - impalpable - subtle - obscure ## Derived Forms - palpably - palpability ## Related Forms - palpate - palpation ## Roots and Affixes - Root: palpabilis - Root: palpare ## Etymology From Late Latin palpabilis 'that may be touched or felt', from Latin palpare 'to touch gently, stroke'. ## AI Etymology Palpable comes from Late Latin palpabilis 'that may be touched or felt', from Latin palpare 'to touch gently, stroke'. The form is best read as a historical transfer or inheritance, with its older language material carrying the main semantic load. As an adjective, it carries the sense "able to be touched or felt; so intense as to seem tangible", with the older formation still helping explain the modern use. Relevant historical forms include Latin palpabilis and Latin palpare. Derivative forms include palpably, palpability; related words include palpate, palpation. ## Topics - Actions & Processes - Word Formation & Derivatives markdown