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Meaning & use

tangible qualities

noun·Advanced

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UK/ˌtæn.dʒə.bəl ˈkwɒl.ə.tiz/
US/ˌtæn.dʒə.bəl ˈkwɑː.lə.t̬iz/

Meanings

  1. nounplural

    Features of something that are clear, real, and easy to notice or measure.

    Grammar: Used in the plural; the singular 'tangible quality' is possible but much rarer.

    Patterns

    • the tangible qualities of something
    • have tangible qualities
    • possess tangible qualities

    The report lists the tangible qualities of the new design: it is lighter, cheaper, and easier to repair.

    What are the tangible qualities that make this neighborhood a good place to live?

    Buyers are looking for tangible qualities, not clever advertising.

  2. nounplural

    Physical features of a thing or person that can be seen or touched.

    Grammar: Here 'tangible' keeps its literal sense of 'able to be touched'.

    Patterns

    • the tangible qualities of a material
    • describe the tangible qualities of something

    The sculptor cares about the tangible qualities of stone: its weight, grain, and coolness.

    Customers judge furniture by its tangible qualities, such as the feel of the wood.

Common combinations

the tangible qualities of something
The essay examines the tangible qualities of the city's older buildings.
possess tangible qualities
Good leaders possess tangible qualities such as patience and consistency.
lack tangible qualities
The proposal lacked tangible qualities that investors could measure.
focus on tangible qualities
The review focuses on tangible qualities rather than on style.

Synonyms and how they differ

concrete qualities
Similar, but 'concrete' stresses that something is definite and specific rather than simply noticeable.
physical qualities
Only fits the literal sense: features you can touch or measure, such as weight or texture.
observable qualities
Emphasizes that you can see or measure the features, not that they feel real and solid.

Opposites

intangible qualities

Word family

tangible adjective
Real and clear enough to be noticed or touched.
tangibly adverb
In a way that can be clearly noticed or felt.
intangibly adverb
In a way that cannot be touched or clearly measured.

Commonly confused: tangible qualities or tactile qualities? tangible qualities or intangible qualities?

tangible qualities vs tactile qualities

'Tactile' relates only to the sense of touch, so tactile qualities are about how something feels; tangible qualities can also be things you can see or measure.

tangible qualities vs intangible qualities

The opposite: qualities such as charm or reputation that you can feel but cannot touch or measure.

Practice

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