tangible

[tan-juh-buhl]

adjective

1. capable of being touched; discernible by the touch; material or substantial.

   Synonyms: corporeal, palpable

2. real or actual, rather than imaginary or visionary.

   the tangible benefits of sunshine.

   Synonyms: perceptible, genuine, certain

3. definite; not vague or elusive.

   no tangible grounds for suspicion.

   Synonyms: specific

4. (of an asset) having actual physical existence, as real estate or chattels, and therefore capable of being assigned a value in monetary terms.

noun

1. something tangible, especially a tangible asset.

tangible

/ ˈtændʒəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being touched or felt; having real substance

   a tangible object

2. capable of being clearly grasped by the mind; substantial rather than imaginary

   tangible evidence

3. having a physical existence; corporeal

   tangible assets

noun

1. (often plural) a tangible thing or asset

Other Word Forms

• tangibility noun
• tangibly adverb
• tangibleness noun
• nontangible adjective
• nontangibleness noun
• nontangibly adverb
• pretangible adjective
• pretangibly adverb
• quasi-tangible adjective
• quasi-tangibly adverb
• untangible adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tangible¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Late Latin tangibilis, from Latin tang(ere) “to touch” + -ibilis -ible; tangent ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of tangible¹

C16: from Late Latin tangibilis, from Latin tangere to touch

Example Sentences

This was never transformed into tangible success measured by silverware, with Levy increasingly a target for supporters' anger throughout his tenure.

From BBC

“Keep A Picture” is a modern Appalachian mountain ballad in terms of the exquisite, tangible pathos.

From Salon

And yet there’s a quieter, more tangible enthusiasm, too.

From Salon

What sort of tangible results do you need to see from Lincoln and the program to maintain that confidence?

From Los Angeles Times

Having such a tangible way to witness creation left a deep impression on me, to be in such an exuberant forest coexisting with so much.

From Los Angeles Times