tan·gi·ble
ˈtan-jə-bəl 
1
2
: capable of being precisely identified or realized by the mind
her grief was tangible
3
: capable of being appraised at an actual or approximate value
tangible assets
: something that is tangible (see tangible entry 1)
especially
: an asset capable of being appraised at an actual or approximate value
Did you know?
Something that's literally tangible can be touched. A rock is tangible, and so is a broken window; if the rock is lying next to the window, it could be tangible evidence of vandalism. When we say that the tension in a room is tangible, we mean we feel it so strongly that it seems almost physical. But if we're being literal, tension, like hope, happiness, and hunger, is literally intangible—it may be real, but it can't be touched. When lawyers talk about an intangible asset, they might mean something like a company's good reputation—very valuable, but not quite touchable.
Synonyms
Examples of tangible in a Sentence
Adjective
These days, an environmentally conscious motorist can walk into a Toyota or Honda dealer and snap up an efficient gasoline-electric hybrid, but the omega point of green driving—the pollution-free hydrogen fuel cell vehicle—is so elusive that one wonders if it will ever become tangible.
—
Brad Lemley, Discover, October 2002
Piniella has no interest in casino gambling, but the horses and the stock market have fascinated him because, he discovered, the payoff is in the satisfaction of doping out the winner as much as it is in the tangible reward.
—Frank Deford, Sports Illustrated, 19 Mar. 2001
This barbed wire, this flattened earth opposite Louie's bestrewn yard, served as a tangible reminder that I was an outsider looking in …
—Julie Matheson, Geographical Review, January-April 2001
Traveling alone does have tangible drawbacks: One of the biggest is cost. Taking a trip alone is normally more expensive for one than for half of a pair.
—Betsy Wade, New York Times, 20 July 1997
There is no tangible evidence to support her claim.
Their sense of relief was almost tangible.
Noun
In this agora, the price of what you buy and sell need bear no implacable relationship to any tangibles.
—Jodie Allen, New Republic, 5 June 2000
The nightly highlight packages confront old-timers with videotaped evidence that they didn't have the same tangibles as today's NBA players.
—Alexander Wolff, Sports Illustrated Classic, Fall 1991
They were betting that inflation would drive prices much higher. The smart speculator could then sell the commodities or other tangibles, repay the loans, and reap a quick profit.
—William Greider, New Yorker, 9 Nov. 1987
Brad Lemley, Discover, October 2002
Piniella has no interest in casino gambling, but the horses and the stock market have fascinated him because, he discovered, the payoff is in the satisfaction of doping out the winner as much as it is in the tangible reward.
—Frank Deford, Sports Illustrated, 19 Mar. 2001
This barbed wire, this flattened earth opposite Louie's bestrewn yard, served as a tangible reminder that I was an outsider looking in …
—Julie Matheson, Geographical Review, January-April 2001
Traveling alone does have tangible drawbacks: One of the biggest is cost. Taking a trip alone is normally more expensive for one than for half of a pair.
—Betsy Wade, New York Times, 20 July 1997
There is no tangible evidence to support her claim.
Their sense of relief was almost tangible.
Noun
In this agora, the price of what you buy and sell need bear no implacable relationship to any tangibles.
—Jodie Allen, New Republic, 5 June 2000
The nightly highlight packages confront old-timers with videotaped evidence that they didn't have the same tangibles as today's NBA players.
—Alexander Wolff, Sports Illustrated Classic, Fall 1991
They were betting that inflation would drive prices much higher. The smart speculator could then sell the commodities or other tangibles, repay the loans, and reap a quick profit.
—William Greider, New Yorker, 9 Nov. 1987
Recent Examples on the Web
Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Those words underpin the brand’s mission to create products that deliver tangible, lasting benefits.
—Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2025
Justin Williams, The Athletic, 15 Aug. 2024
Careful attention to keeping the old-style look and feel has been made in all of these tangibles.
—Aaron Turpen, New Atlas, 14 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tangible 
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Adjective
By turning sobering themes into something tangible—like sweet-and-spicy jerky or a playful pink bun—brands tap into the tension between indulgence and introspection.
—Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Those words underpin the brand’s mission to create products that deliver tangible, lasting benefits.
—Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
Coming off a disappointing 5-7 2022 campaign and with Texas and Oklahoma on their way out the door, Brown hit the reset button on his team’s identity, homing in on discipline, effort and taking care of the football over raw talent, and turning those intangibles into tangibles.
—Justin Williams, The Athletic, 15 Aug. 2024
Careful attention to keeping the old-style look and feel has been made in all of these tangibles.
—Aaron Turpen, New Atlas, 14 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tangible
Dictionary Entries Near tangible
Cite this Entry
“Tangible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tangible. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tangible
1 of 2 adjective
tan·gi·ble
ˈtan-jə-bəl
1
: capable of being touched
2
: capable of being understood and appreciated
tangible
2 of 2 noun
: something tangible
Legal Definition
tangible
adjective
tan·gi·ble
ˈtan-jə-bəl
: capable of being perceived especially by the sense of touch
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