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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 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

Word forms

more palpable comparative, most palpable superlative

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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."

Origin: Latin

Antonyms

Related words

Rhymes for palpable

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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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial