Tangible

Full Definition of TANGIBLE

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>

— tan·gi·bil·i·ty \ˌtan-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— tan·gi·ble·ness \ˈtan-jə-bəl-nəs\ noun

— tan·gi·bly \-blē\ adverb

See tangible defined for English-language learners

See tangible defined for kids

Examples of TANGIBLE

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
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Origin of TANGIBLE

Late Latin tangibilis, from Latin tangere to touch

First Known Use: 1589

Related to TANGIBLE

Synonyms: palpable, touchable

Antonyms: impalpable, intangible

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>.

Rhymes with TANGIBLE

frangible

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 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
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Origin of TANGIBLE

(see ¹tangible)

First Known Use: 1890

Definition of TANGIBLE for Kids

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>

— tan·gi·bly \-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.