What does "tangible" mean?
A physical object; something that can be touched.
Tangible
/ˈtæn.d͡ʒɪ.b(ə)l/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A physical object; something that can be touched.
- Grammar: tangible is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: palpable, real, actual, actualizing.
- Useful contrasts: discarnate, intangible, abstract.
- Usage evidence: Service economy is a useful labor that does not produce a tangible commodity.
How to use "tangible"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "tangible" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "tangible" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "tangible" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "tangible" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "tangible" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "palpable" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "tangible", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A physical object; something that can be touched.
- 2 Real or concrete results.
"Yes, but what are the tangibles?"
Adjective
- 1 Touchable; able to be touched or felt; perceptible by the sense of touch.
- 2 Perceptible; able to be perceived.
"While the SCP universe is, of course, filled with things that we would certainly not consider "real", most of the SCPs are tangible or perceivable in some way."
- 3 Able to be treated as fact; real or concrete.
"And for Rodgers, who cleaned up with Celtic in Scotland, this was another significant addition to his CV, as his expert guidance of Leicester - who are in a strong position to finish in the Premier League's top four and face Chelsea again at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday - now has a tangible reward in the shape of the FA Cup."
- 4 Comprehensible by the mind; understandable.
Adjective
- 1 capable of being treated as fact wordnet
- 2 capable of being perceived; especially capable of being handled or touched or felt wordnet
- 3 perceptible by the senses especially the sense of touch wordnet
- 4 (of especially business assets) having physical substance and intrinsic monetary value wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"Service economy is a useful labor that does not produce a tangible commodity."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "tangible"?
Common synonyms include: palpable, real, actual, actualizing, apparent, appreciable.
How do you use "tangible" in a sentence?
Service economy is a useful labor that does not produce a tangible commodity.
How do you pronounce "tangible"?
Pronounced /ˈtæn.d͡ʒɪ.b(ə)l/.
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French tangible, from Late Latin tangibilis, from Latin tangere (“to touch”)