the tangible world?

[nessie]

Hi,

Here is an example for the word "tangible" I've found in the OALD:

(formal) the tangible world

=> Does "the tangible world" here mean the world in which we are living, and what is the antonym of it?

Many thanks
Nessie
_________________
... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know..

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Yankee]

Hi Nessie

You should probably start with simply looking for an antonym of 'tangible'. What was the definition of the word 'tangible' that the OALD gave along with that example?
.
_________________
Amy
.
ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

[Torsten]

Hi Nessie,

The antonym of the term "tangible world" is probably "virtual world" or simply "the Internet".
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Yankee]

.
I wonder whether Nessie can come up with some additional ideas herself.
.
_________________
Amy
.
ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

[nessie]

Hi Amy and Torsten,
Thank you very much for your help

After some time of being a member of this site, I think I've learnt what "Auntie Amy" wants from her students: state your idea first, and then have the teachers correct them. Don't just ask questions (I love you for that )

And,back to our matter here: actually when coming across the word "tangible world", I did figure out something. I thought of a term describing this world in which we are living (reality), a world with real, concrete things, contrary to some other "worlds", like hell or paradise, or the world of imagination, etc.

That's why I want to see about your idea.
Many thanks once again
Nessie

[nessie]

Sorry but does anybody have some more ideas?

[rajin]

Well, I can see the phrase "tangible world" being used if someone's constantly talking about their imagination, or their dreams. Someone might say "come back to the tangible world" meaning come back to the real world. I think the intangible is anything fictitious that we might dream up, ethereal. Religion - even - might be intangible to some (but you should avoid saying that among many people, it might insult them if you're not careful)

[Yankee]

[nessie]