capable of being perceived by the senses or the mind; especially capable of being handled or touched or felt; "a barely palpable dust"; "felt sudden anger in a palpable wave"; "the air was warm and close--palpable as cotton"
\PAL-puh-buhl\, adjective: 1 Capable of being touched and felt; perceptible by the touch; as, a palpable form 2 Easily perceptible; plain; distinct; obvious; readily perceived and detected; gross; as, palpable imposture; palpable absurdity; palpable errors
You describe something as palpable when it is obvious or intense and easily noticed. The tension between Amy and Jim is palpable + palpably pal·pably The scene was palpably intense to watch