palpable
gb/pˈælpəbəl/ us/pˈælpəbəl/
C1
English
~ 9900
tapintható, nyilvánvaló
C1
1
tapintható
C1
Usage pattern:
[palpable] [emotion/feeling]; a palpable [emotion]
There was a palpable tension in the room as everyone waited for the verdict.
Tapintható volt a feszültség a teremben, miközben mindenki az ítéletre várt.
The crowd’s palpable excitement grew as the band walked onto the stage.
A tömeg tapintható izgalma csak fokozódott, ahogy a zenekar a színpadra lépett.
When the power finally came back on, the relief was almost palpable.
She spoke with palpable anger, and no one dared to interrupt her.
As the storm approached, there was a palpable sense of fear in the village.
Learner examples
There was palpable tension before the exam started.
A vizsga kezdete előtt tapintható volt a feszültség.
The children’s palpable excitement made the room very loud.
A gyerekek tapintható izgalmától nagyon hangos lett a szoba.
After the fire was out, the firefighters felt palpable relief.
His disappointment was palpable when he read the email.
When the boss came in, there was a palpable change in the mood.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "palpable" with "palatable". "Palpable" means very strong and easy to notice, usually about feelings or moods. "Palatable" means pleasant to taste or acceptable. For example, "palpable tension" is correct, but "palatable tension" is not.
Meaning
so strong it is very obvious
Collocations
palpable tension
|palpable excitement
|palpable fear
|palpable sense of [something]
|palpable relief
|almost palpable
Synonyms
tangible (Often used similarly for strong emotions or moods; slightly more formal and can also refer to physical things.)
|
noticeable (Weaker and more neutral; does not always suggest great intensity.)
|
intense (Focuses more on strength than on how obvious something is to everyone present.)
Antonyms
subtle (Describes feelings or effects that are weak, gentle, or hard to notice.)
|
faint (Suggests a very weak or barely noticeable feeling or signal.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Describes a feeling or mood that is very strong and easy for everyone to notice.
Describes a feeling, atmosphere, or emotion that is extremely strong and very obvious to people present.
C1
FORMAL
2
nyilvánvaló
B2
Usage pattern:
a palpable [error/lie/difference]; [something] is palpable
The report contained a palpable error in the sales figures.
A jelentés az értékesítési adatoknál nyilvánvaló hibát tartalmazott.
There is a palpable difference in quality between the two products.
Nyilvánvaló minőségi különbség van a két termék között.
His explanation was a palpable lie, and everyone knew it.
The judge spoke of the palpable injustice in how the case had been handled.
After the policy change, there was a palpable improvement in customer satisfaction.
Learner examples
The teacher found a palpable error in my answer.
A tanár nyilvánvaló hibát talált a válaszomban.
There is a palpable difference between the old phone and the new one.
Nyilvánvaló különbség van a régi telefon és az új között.
His story was a palpable lie, and nobody believed him.
We saw a palpable improvement after the new rules started.
The company made a palpable effort to help its workers.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse "palpable" where simpler words like "clear" or "obvious" sound more natural in everyday speech. "Palpable" is more formal and is best used when emphasis is needed, for example "a palpable error" rather than just any small mistake.
Meaning
very clear and obvious
Collocations
palpable error
|palpable lie
|palpable difference
|palpable injustice
|palpable improvement
|palpable progress
Synonyms
obvious (More common and less formal; similar meaning but broader use.)
|
evident (Formal and often used in written or official contexts.)
|
clear-cut (Stresses that something is simple to judge or decide, without doubt.)
Antonyms
hidden (Suggests something is not seen or noticed, sometimes on purpose.)
|
questionable (Suggests that something is uncertain or can reasonably be doubted.)
Themes
communication
|business
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Describes something, like a mistake or lie, that is very clear and easy to see or understand.
Describes a fact, mistake, or quality that is so clear and obvious that it cannot reasonably be denied or ignored.
C2
TECHNICAL
3
tapintható
C1
Usage pattern:
[a] palpable [lump/mass/pulse]; [something] is palpable
The doctor found a small but palpable lump in the patient’s neck.
Az orvos egy kicsi, de tapintható csomót talált a beteg nyakában.
If the pulse is not palpable at the wrist, check a more central artery.
Ha a pulzus a csuklón nem tapintható, ellenőrizze egy központibb artérián.
There was no palpable mass in the abdomen during the examination.
The lesion was barely palpable and required careful inspection.
A palpable node was detected under the patient’s jawline.
Learner examples
The doctor felt a palpable lump in her arm.
Az orvos tapintható csomót észlelt a karjában.
The nurse could not find a palpable pulse in his wrist.
A nővér nem talált tapintható pulzust a csuklóján.
There was no palpable mass when the doctor touched his stomach.
The swelling was easily palpable under the skin.
The student was asked to locate a palpable artery in the leg.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that in medical English, "palpable" refers specifically to something that can be felt by touch, usually by a healthcare professional. They sometimes confuse it with "visible", but a lump can be palpable without being visible.
Meaning
able to be touched or felt
Collocations
palpable lump
|palpable mass
|palpable pulse
|palpable node
|palpable lesion
|palpable abnormality
Synonyms
tangible (Common everyday word for something that can be touched; not limited to medical use.)
|
perceptible (More general; can refer to anything that can be detected, not only by touch.)
Antonyms
impalpable (Formal and rare; describes something that cannot be touched or felt physically.)
|
intangible (Common word for things that cannot be touched, like ideas or feelings.)
Themes
medicine
|science
|health
|body
Definition
Something that can be touched or felt with the body, especially when a doctor feels it with their hands.
Able to be touched or physically felt, especially by the hands or during a medical examination.
Grammar
Dictionary form
palpable
IPA
GB/pˈælpəbəl/
US/pˈælpəbəl/
Syllables & stress
palp - able (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (palp)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: palpable
Word family
Core family
palpably
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
impalpable
adjective
Advanced or less common
palpate
verb
palpation
noun
Expressions
a palpable difference
1/ə pˈælpəbəl dˈɪfɹəns/
fixed phrase
formal
a very noticeable change
Used to say that a change or difference between two things is very clear and easy to see.
Examples
- There was a palpable difference in her confidence after the training course.
- You can feel a palpable difference in the team’s performance this season.
- The new policy has made a palpable difference to customer satisfaction.
a palpable sense of
1/ə pˈælpəbəl sˈɛns əv/
fixed phrase
a very strong feeling in a place
Used to talk about a feeling in a place or group that is very strong and easy for everyone to notice.
Examples
- There was a palpable sense of relief when the plane finally landed.
- As the results were announced, a palpable sense of disappointment spread through the hall.
- Before the game started, there was a palpable sense of excitement in the stadium.
palpable excitement
1/pˈælpəbəl ɪksˈaɪtmənt/
fixed phrase
very strong and obvious excitement
Describes a situation where many people are very excited, and this feeling is very easy to notice.
Examples
- There was palpable excitement in the air before the concert began.
- The children watched with palpable excitement as the fireworks started.
- Palpable excitement spread through the office after the big announcement.
palpable fear
1/pˈælpəbəl fˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
very strong and obvious fear
Used when fear in a place or group is so strong that everyone can easily notice it.
Examples
- There was palpable fear in the crowd as the fire spread.
- The palpable fear on the children’s faces made the situation feel even more serious.
- When the alarm sounded, palpable fear filled the building.
palpable relief
1/pˈælpəbəl ɹɪlˈif/
fixed phrase
very strong and clear relief
Describes a moment when people suddenly feel much better or safer, and this feeling is very easy to see.
Examples
- There was palpable relief in the office when the deadline was extended.
- Her palpable relief showed on her face as she heard the good news.
- The announcement of the acquittal brought palpable relief to his family.
palpable tension
1/pˈælpəbəl tˈɛnʃən/
fixed phrase
very strong nervous or uneasy mood
Describes a situation where people feel very nervous or uncomfortable, and this feeling is very easy to notice.
Examples
- There was palpable tension around the table as the negotiations continued.
- The palpable tension between the two leaders made everyone else fall silent.
- When the teacher walked in, the room filled with palpable tension.