adjective

tangible

/ˈtændʒəbəl/ · say it: TAN·juh·bul

perceptible by touch; clearly real

In Sophisticated Everyday

In more detail

1. (adjective) able to be touched or felt physically

2. (adjective) clear and able to be measured or proven; real and definite

Examples

1. The tangible warmth of the sun on her skin felt wonderful.
2. The company showed tangible improvements in its sales figures this year.

How to use tangible

Tangible is used both literally (describing things you can physically touch) and figuratively (describing results, evidence, or benefits that are clear and measurable rather than vague or theoretical). In business and academic contexts, it emphasizes what is concrete and verifiable rather than speculative or abstract.

Common phrases

tangible benefit
tangible evidence
tangible result
tangible asset
tangible difference

Synonyms

palpable · concrete · material · perceptible · substantive

Opposites

intangible · abstract · imperceptible

Word family

tangibility (noun) · tangibly (adverb) · intangible (adjective)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use tangible when they simply mean 'real' or 'important', overlooking that it specifically emphasizes physicality or measurability; not all real things are tangible (emotions, ideas, and relationships are real but typically not called tangible).

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