Spanish Conversation · Level 96
60 words
Spanish word
impalpable
Pronunciation
IPA/impalˈpaβle/
Meaning
- adjectiveimperceptible
Example
Había una presencia impalpable en la habitación.
There was an imperceptible presence in the room.
More examples
Tras la despedida quedó una impresión impalpable en todos.
After the farewell, an intangible impression remained with everyone.
Core concept
A misty presence too thin to be felt.
Common phrases
una impresión impalpable
an intangible impression
una sensación impalpable
an intangible sensation
Similar words
intangible: Unable to be touched, clearly without material body or physical form.
imperceptible: Extremely slight and almost unnoticed by perception or the senses.
difuso: Spread out and blurred, without sharp contours or distinct borders.
vago: Vague and unspecified, lacking precise features or concrete details.
Definition in Spanish
Que no puede percibirse al tacto; también aplicado a sensaciones o presencias que no tienen forma material clara.
Word origin
From Latin impalpabilis (in- 'not' + palpabilis 'touchable'), originally meaning not touchable and later applied figuratively to vague, formless sensations.
Usage tips
- A somewhat literary adjective in Spanish, often used for atmospheres or feelings rather than everyday objects, so speakers commonly opt for 'una sensación vaga' or 'intangible' in casual speech.
Other meanings
- intangibleadjective
- elusiveadjective
Opposites
- palpablepalpableadjective