adj

palpable

PAL-puh-buhl

adj

Able to be touched or physically felt.

"The nurse checked for a palpable pulse in his wrist."

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 notes

In plain EnglishSomething you could almost physically feel, whether that's an actual object or a strong emotion like tension or relief.

Common pairings

palpable tension palpable relief palpable sense of

more palpable comparative, most palpable superlative

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The nurse checked for a _____ pulse in his wrist.

From Latin palpabilis, from palpare ("to touch softly, feel"), the same root as "palp" and "palpitate."

impalpable

able fable cable table sable gable viable liable stable unable usable enable

impalpable