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palpable

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

Definition of palpable

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
Other Words from palpable Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Feel Out the Definition of Palpable More Example Sentences Learn More about palpable

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Other Words from palpable

palpability \ ˌpal-​pə-​ˈbi-​lə-​tē How to pronounce palpability (audio) \ noun
palpably \ ˈpal-​pə-​blē How to pronounce palpably (audio) \ adverb

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

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."

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 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 As pushcart vendors manned the stadium concourses, ringing bicycle bells and selling E-lados ice cream in paper cups, and concessionaires poured shots of Cutty Sark and blended piña coladas, there was a palpable sense of spirit. — Daniel G. Habib, Sports Illustrated, 21 Apr. 2003 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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 That tension is palpable in Arizona, a state with an ardent gun culture as well as a growing population of newcomers seeking sun, jobs and affordable housing in the suburbs that ring Phoenix. — oregonlive.com, "Suburban voters are pressuring Republicans to act on guns," 18 Aug. 2019 That risk is palpable in the film, even on repeated viewings. — New York Times, "One Night. One Chance. One Liza (With a ‘Z’).," 1 Aug. 2019 This past week has added to anxiety that was already palpable in the Chichagof Island hamlet. — Annie Zak, Anchorage Daily News, "Alaska ferry workers have been on strike for a week. The effects continue to ripple throughout coastal Alaska.," 31 July 2019 The educational ethos of 19th century Britain, which is still palpable in some private schools and ancient universities, aimed to revere both the classical tradition and the Christian one in equal measure. — The Economist, "Boris Johnson’s confusing and contradictory religious history," 27 July 2019 Frustration was palpable at the standing-room-only session in Upper Marlboro with developers of Westphalia Town Center, a mixed-use neighborhood that broke ground in 2013 but has struggled to attract retail and office tenants. — Rachel Chason, Washington Post, "These residents might have welcomed Amazon’s H2Q. But they don’t want its warehouse.," 18 July 2019 This sense of disconnect was palpable at the Orchestra of New Spain concert at Dallas’ St. Michael’s and All Angels on June 25. — Tim Diovanni, Dallas News, "Cavernous confines? Acoustical issues a distraction at Orchestra of New Spain’s 'Paris in the 20s' concert," 28 June 2019 Sonorenses’ obsession with beef is palpable at the Mercado Municipal, the city’s central meat and produce market, which has been in operation for more than 100 years. — Patricia Escárcega, latimes.com, "Exploring Hermosillo, northern Mexico’s great unsung food city," 26 June 2019 The weight of its influence is palpable here, and the Kims have woven their memories of that place into their menu with fluent hands. — Soleil Ho, SFChronicle.com, "At Maum in Palo Alto, a tasting menu that celebrates Korean American classics," 8 Aug. 2019

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

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First Known Use of palpable

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for palpable

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

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More Definitions for palpable

palpable

adjective
How to pronounce palpable (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of palpable

formal : obvious and noticeable

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

palpable

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

Medical Definition of palpable

: capable of being touched or felt especially : capable of being examined by palpation

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