PsychologyJuly 18, 2026

tangibility

/ˌtændʒəˈbɪləti/

Definition

The quality of being physical, concrete, or capable of being touched and perceived as a distinct, finished result.

Etymology

Derived from the Late Latin 'tangibilis', meaning 'that may be touched,' which comes from the Latin verb 'tangere' (to touch). It entered English in the 17th century to describe things capable of being perceived by the senses.

In the news

In the article, tangibility refers to the satisfaction found in manual tasks like gardening or painting, which provide clear, visible outcomes that contrast with the abstract, open-ended mental labor of office work. This physical focus helps the brain recover from the exhaustion caused by constant cognitive processing.

I’m a Psychologist. How to Switch Off Your Brain From Work On the Weekends

Read the full article ↗

Newsweek

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