perceptibleper‧cep‧ti‧ble /pəˈseptəbəl $ pər-/ adjective formal 
a small but perceptible change The sound was barely perceptible.—perceptibly adverb: the light dimmed perceptibly
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- According to Reynolds, there has been a slight but perceptible change in public attitude lately.
- His lips curved in a barely perceptible smile.
- The influence of Sartre is perceptible in Hogan's novel.
- When he asked if she wanted something to eat, she gave a barely perceptible nod.
- And owners note a perceptible increase in door-hangers, fliers and other pleas from agents to put their homes up for sale.
- Here there are established relationships, sizes and perceptible properties which might be talked about, without offending any child.
- Here, there was a perceptible change.
- His voice carried a barely perceptible quaver.
- These compulsions are usually obvious to observers, but seldom perceptible to the people caught in their grip.
- This was followed by the barely perceptible rustle of snow crystals hitting the newly exposed portion of the roof.
Longman Language Activatorvery easy to notice or understand
something that is obvious is very easy to notice or understand: · There is an obvious connection between the two murders.· "Why is she leaving?" "Well, it's obvious, isn't it?"it is obvious that: · It's obvious that something is wrong.· It was obvious from the start that my parents disliked Nancy.it is obvious to somebody: · It should be obvious to everyone that we need to make some changes.for obvious reasons (=when the reasons are so obvious that you do not need to say what they are): · For obvious reasons, we've had to cancel tonight's performance.
if it is clear that something is true, it is easy to notice that it is true and you feel sure about it and have no doubts: it is clear that: · It was clear that Lesley was very upset by what had happened.it is clear to somebody: · It was clear to me that my father was dying.it becomes clear: · It soon became clear that there were not enough police officers to deal with the situation.· It became clear after talking to him that Andrew wasn't going to cooperate.clear evidence/example/sign etc: · There is clear evidence that certain diets reduce your chances of getting cancer.· clear signs of an economic recovery
use this to emphasize that it is easy to see that something is true: · We're obviously going to need more help.· Clearly, the situation is more complicated than we first thought.· The children were clearly upset.· Obviously, this guy's a complete fraud.· The language of the article clearly reveals the author's bias.
to know that something must be true because you can see signs that show this: can tell (that): · I can tell that Mark isn't happy here.· Even though it was dark, she could tell it was him.can tell if: · I can't tell if this is dirty or not. Can you?can tell by: · I could tell by the way she walked that her knee was still bothering her.
if it is easy to see that something is true, it is very easy for anyone to notice or understand that fact: it is easy to see (that): · It's easy to see that he isn't well.· It was easy to see that Minna was embarrassed by her father's behaviour.it is easy to see how/why/what: · It's easy to see why this place is so popular.
a noticeable difference, change, improvement etc is easy to notice: noticeable change: · The most noticeable change was in my younger brother, who had grown quite a bit and was now a third-grader.noticeable improvement: · There has been a noticeable improvement in Jeremy's behaviour lately.barely/hardly/scarcely noticeable (=almost not noticeable): · Stop worrying about your pimples; they're barely noticeable.it is noticeable that: · It was quite noticeable that everyone had been invited except for Gail.
formal a perceptible difference, change, improvement etc can be noticed even though it is small: · The influence of Sartre is perceptible in Hogan's novel.perceptible change: · According to Reynolds, there has been a slight but perceptible change in public attitude lately.barely/scarcely/hardly perceptible (=almost not perceptible): · His lips curved in a barely perceptible smile.· When he asked if she wanted something to eat, she gave a barely perceptible nod.
a distinct or definite possibility, feeling, quality etc is noticeable and cannot be ignored: distinct/definite possibility: · A civil war is a distinct possibility.· Food shortages are so severe that mass starvation is a definite possibility.distinct advantage: · Trigg's height should give him a distinct advantage in his match against Robinson.distinct impression: · I had the distinct impression that Rachel was displeased.
obvious - used formally or in literature: · Even at the age of eight his musical talent was apparent.for no apparent reason (=without a clear reason): · Suddenly, and for no apparent reason, he turned his back and walked away.it is evident (from something) that: · From the look on Jill's face, it was evident that the news came as a complete shock.it became apparent/evident that: · It became evident that Lena wasn't going to be able to handle the project on her own.· After a few months, it became apparent that Vicky did not have a genuine interest in her job.
something or someone that is conspicuous is very easy to notice, because they are different from everything or everyone else around them: · Cuzco's few tourists are conspicuous as they explore the old cobbled streets.· Downtown business owners say they want the city's homeless shelter moved to a less conspicuous location.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The sound was barely perceptible.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES His voice was barely audible.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
The sound was barely perceptible. His voice was barely audible.· He gave a barely perceptible nod as if he had read her mind and applauded her attitude.· This was followed by the barely perceptible rustle of snow crystals hitting the newly exposed portion of the roof.· And slowly, slowly, so gradually that it was barely perceptible, the watchers became aware of a change.· His voice carried a barely perceptible quaver.· These immortal ideas, things barely perceptible are the most precious things of life.· The roses in the garden of the aunts were covered by a thin, barely perceptible layer of dust.· A barely perceptible delay as you gaze through it.
WORD FAMILYnounperceptionperceptivenessadjectiveperceptible ≠ imperceptibleperceptiveadverbperceptibly ≠ imperceptiblyperceptivelyverbperceive
something that is perceptible can be noticed, although it is very small OPP imperceptible: a small but perceptible change The sound was barely perceptible.—perceptibly adverb: the light dimmed perceptibly