adj
Uncommon
palpable
PAL-puh-buhl
Palpable (adj) means Able to be touched or physically felt. Example: “The nurse checked for a palpable pulse in his wrist.”
adj
1
Able to be touched or physically felt.
"The nurse checked for a palpable pulse in his wrist."
2
So obvious or intense that it feels almost physical; clearly noticeable.
"There was a palpable tension in the room after the announcement."
"Her relief was palpable when she heard the test results."
How to use palpable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething you could almost physically feel, whether that's an actual object or a strong emotion like tension or relief.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
palpable tension
palpable relief
palpable sense of
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more palpable
- Superlative
- most palpable
Fill the gap
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The nurse checked for a _____ pulse in his wrist.
Etymology
From Latin palpabilis, from palpare ("to touch softly, feel"), the same root as "palp" and "palpitate."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for palpable
See all rhymes for palpable →Frequently asked questions
What does “palpable” mean?
The word “palpable” means able to be touched or physically felt. In plain terms, something you could almost physically feel, whether that's an actual object or a strong emotion like tension or relief.
How do you pronounce “palpable”?
“Palpable” is pronounced PAL-puh-buhl (/ˈpælpəbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “palpable” in a sentence?
Here is “palpable” used in a sentence: “The nurse checked for a palpable pulse in his wrist.”
What is the opposite of “palpable”?
The opposite of “palpable” — its antonyms — is impalpable.
What part of speech is “palpable”?
“Palpable” is an adjective.
Where does the word “palpable” come from?
The word “palpable” comes from Latin. From Latin palpabilis, from palpare ("to touch softly, feel"), the same root as "palp" and "palpitate.".
Is “palpable” a common word?
“Palpable” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “palpable” have?
“Palpable” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: able to be touched or physically felt.
