Word
palpable
Phoneticspal·pa·ble, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpæɫpəbəɫ/
UK/pˈælpəbəl/
Definition
adj. so strong that you can almost feel or touch it. You use this to describe a mood or feeling that is very obvious to everyone.
adj. capable of being touched or felt; tangible. Often describes an intense atmosphere or emotion that is so evident it seems physical.
Examples
“The tension in the room was palpable.”
“When the results were announced, the sense of relief among the crowd was palpable.”
“The silence in the courtroom became palpable as the jury foreman stood up to deliver the final verdict, which would determine the defendant's fate.”
Examples
simple
“The tension in the room was palpable.”
contextual
“When the results were announced, the sense of relief among the crowd was palpable.”
complex
“The silence in the courtroom became palpable as the jury foreman stood up to deliver the final verdict, which would determine the defendant's fate.”
Usage
Often follows a linking verb like 'be', 'become', or 'remain'.
Real-World Examples
“Tension on the streets was palpable – you’d pedal home as quickly as you could.” “The scene carries a palpable sense of dread and sadness.” “You could have see the palpable anxiety in the eyes of our small businesses, their families, when it comes to these trade negotiations,” Conservative MP and Canada-U.S.” Etymology
From Middle French palpable and its source, Latin palpābilis, which is from palpō (“to touch softly”) + -bilis.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/palpable