# tangible

/ˈtændʒəbəɫ/ (US) · /tˈændʒəbəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tangible
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. real or concrete

adjective · CEFR B2

real and clear to see, rather than just an idea or a feeling.

For teachers: capable of being treated as fact; substantial rather than imaginary or speculative.

- The company has seen tangible benefits from the new training program, like fewer mistakes.
- The peace talks have yet to produce any tangible results, leaving the international community skeptical about the possibility of a lasting ceasefire.

### 2. touchable

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

able to be touched or felt physically.

For teachers: perceptible by the sense of touch; having physical substance.

- The museum allows children to handle tangible objects from the past.
- The tension in the courtroom was almost tangible, as if the silence itself had a physical weight that pressed down on the spectators.

### 3. physical assets

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

things that a person or company owns that you can physically touch, like buildings or equipment.

For teachers: physical assets or property that possess a material form, often used in accounting or legal contexts.

- The firm's tangibles, including its machinery and vehicles, were sold to pay off debts.
- In the valuation of the corporation, the auditors focused on tangibles such as real estate and inventory while discounting the brand's intellectual property.

Usage: Usually used in the plural form 'tangibles'.

## Examples

- The new law brought tangible benefits to the local community.
- After months of planning, the team finally saw tangible results when the first prototype successfully completed its test flight.
- While the cultural impact of the festival is difficult to quantify, the tangible economic growth in the hospitality sector provides a clear indicator of its success.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.