What does palpable mean?
Word: Palpable
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Palpable means so strong or clear that it can almost be touched or felt.
Synonyms: noticeable, tangible, clear
Antonyms: faint, imperceptible
How do you spell palpable?
Syllables: pal - pa - ble
Tricky part: Do not lose the l in the first syllable: papable is the usual slip.
Watch out for: papable, pallpable
Memory tip: Your pal can feel it: palpable starts with pal.
Palpable in a sentence
Example 1: Her relief was palpable when she found her lost dog.
Example 2: A palpable silence filled the room after the bad news.
Example 3: The tension between the two teams was palpable.
Fun Fact
It comes from the Latin palpare, to touch gently. Doctors still palpate a patient, which means they examine the body by feeling it with their hands.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell Probe
Find the misspelt word in the sentence and choose its meaning:
The excitement in the stadium was palpible as the two captains walked out for the toss.
a) the leader of a sports team
b) a large sports ground with rows of seats
c) a feeling of great happiness and eagerness
d) so plain that nobody nearby could miss it
Show answer
d) so plain that nobody nearby could miss it. Palpible should end in able; palpable means strong enough to be felt.
Word Puzzle
Match the words in the two lists:
1. palpable 2. vacant 3. feeble a. obvious b. weak c. empty
a) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
b) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
c) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a
d) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
Show answer
a) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b. Something palpable is obvious, a vacant seat is empty and a feeble voice is weak.
Word Champ
Read the statements and choose the correct option:
1. A palpable change is one that people can easily notice. 2. A pharmacist is a person who repairs broken watches. 3. A librarian looks after the books in a library.
a) both 1 and 2
b) all three are correct
c) only 1
d) both 1 and 3
Show answer
d) both 1 and 3. Statement 2 is false: a pharmacist prepares and sells medicines.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Something you could call palpable is ____.
a) a colour in a rainbow
b) the tension in a class before results
c) a number in a long sum
d) a word in a thick book
Show answer
b) the tension in a class before results
2. When the teacher said 'The relief in the room was palpable', she meant that ____.
a) the room was empty
b) nobody felt relieved
c) everyone clearly looked relieved
d) the room was very cold
Show answer
c) everyone clearly looked relieved
