perceptible

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "perceptible" is an acceptable word to use in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is able to be perceived, noticed or understood, especially with the senses. For example: "The faint smell of the flowers was barely perceptible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Your ear can discern the slightest perceptible sound, even through the shrillest of noises.

The Guardian - Books

Around 7.5 million commuters cram themselves into local trains every day and the fledgling metro and monorail are unlikely to make a perceptible difference in the near future.

The Guardian

British Columbia has just run a remarkably successful five-year experiment in carbon pricing, with a revenue-neutral carbon tax that not only substantially reduced emissions but included a perceptible rise in jobs and growth.

The Guardian

As Kingsley Amis put it: "The slightest and most banal coincidence or point of resemblance, or even just- perceptible absence of one, unworthy of a single grunt of interest, gets called 'ironical'ironical

The Guardian

The slowdown in the Chinese economy has had a perceptible impact on world demand for oil, while there has been a dramatic increase in the supply coming onto the market – the most obvious example being the fracking phenomenon in the US.

The Guardian - Business

The best estimate for total man-made radiative forcing in 2011 is 43% above 2005 levels.Of course, more heat does not necessarily equal perceptible climate change.

The Economist

Several studies suggest that immigration has made a perceptible contribution to this decline.And the other big difference between now and a century ago?

The Economist

Dignitaries in robes and turbans communicated with barely perceptible flickers of the eye.

The Economist

The dollar has slid, but there has been no painful financial crash, no dramatic rise in long-term interest rates, no perceptible impact on America's asset markets (the Dow Jones Industrial Average is up almost 5% since the election).

The Economist

In such an environment, it is not surprising that existential angst in various forms, religious and secular, is now perceptible across Iranian society.

The Economist

Medium-sized firms continued to contract, though at a barely perceptible rate.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perceptible" when you want to emphasize that something is capable of being noticed or sensed, especially if it requires some degree of observation or discernment.

Common error

Avoid using "perceptible" when a simpler word like "visible" or "noticeable" would suffice. "Perceptible" is most effective when highlighting a subtle or nuanced observation, not an obvious one.

Linguistic Context

The word "perceptible" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate the capability of being noticed or sensed. Ludwig confirms this usage is acceptable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perceptible" is a versatile adjective used to describe something capable of being noticed or sensed. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, notably in news, media, and scientific domains. While closely related to terms like "noticeable" and "detectable", "perceptible" emphasizes the capacity for observation or discernment. Use "perceptible" when highlighting a subtle or nuanced observation, rather than an obvious one. Remember this word works across both formal and informal writings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

noticeable

Focuses on the ease of noticing something, often implying it stands out.

detectable

Highlights the ability to discover or identify something, often through specific methods.

observable

Emphasizes that something can be seen or witnessed.

visible

Implies something can be seen with the eyes.

discernible

Suggests something can be distinguished or recognized, often with effort.

evident

Highlights that something is easily seen and obvious.

apparent

Indicates something is clear or obvious to understand.

palpable

Describes something that is so intense it feels as if it can be touched.

appreciable

Implies a significant or considerable amount that is easy to perceive.

identifiable

Highlights the capacity to establish the identity of something.

FAQs

How can I use "perceptible" in a sentence?

You can use "perceptible" to describe something that is capable of being noticed or sensed. For example, "The change in temperature was barely perceptible".

What words are similar to "perceptible"?

Alternatives to "perceptible" include "noticeable", "detectable", or "observable", each with slightly different nuances.

Is it correct to say "non-perceptible"?

Yes, "non-perceptible" is a valid term used to describe something that cannot be perceived or detected.

What is the difference between "perceptible" and "perceivable"?

"Perceptible" refers to something that can be perceived, while "perceivable" refers to something that is able to be perceived. While similar, "perceptible" often emphasizes the actual sensation, whereas "perceivable" emphasizes the capacity to be sensed.