ENGLISH
REFERENCE

palpable

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˈpæɫpəbəɫ// UK //pˈælpəbəl// pal·pa·ble

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.


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.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle French palpable and its source, Latin palpābilis, which is from palpō (“to touch softly”) + -bilis.

Usage

Often follows a linking verb like 'be', 'become', or 'remain'.

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