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Meaning & use

untouched

adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ʌnˈtʌtʃt/
US/ʌnˈtʌtʃt/

Meanings

  1. adjectivenot comparable

    Not changed, damaged, or affected by anything; still in its original state.

    Grammar: Used after linking verbs like be, remain, stay, or leave.

    Patterns

    • be untouched by something
    • remain untouched
    • leave something untouched

    The old village remained untouched by modern development.

    She left her breakfast untouched and rushed out.

    The forest has been untouched for centuries.

  2. adjectivenot comparable

    Not handled, eaten, or used by anyone.

    Grammar: Often used with food or objects that could have been used but were not.

    Patterns

    • leave food untouched
    • sit untouched

    The cake sat untouched on the table all afternoon.

    His dinner was untouched; he wasn't hungry.

    The equipment was left untouched for weeks.

  3. adjectivenot comparable

    Not yet reached, discovered, or dealt with.

    Grammar: Often used for places or topics that no one has explored or changed.

    Patterns

    • remain untouched
    • be untouched by something

    The remote island is still untouched by tourism.

    Many areas of science remain untouched by her research.

    The topic was left untouched in the meeting.

Common combinations

remain untouched
The ancient ruins remain untouched by time.
leave something untouched
Please leave the documents untouched until the police arrive.
untouched by something
The region was untouched by the storm.
sit untouched
The book sat untouched on the shelf for years.
completely untouched
The snow was completely untouched when we arrived.

Synonyms and how they differ

unspoiled
Often used for places that are beautiful and not damaged by people; untouched is more general and can refer to anything not changed or used.
pristine
Suggests something is extremely clean and in perfect condition; untouched just means not changed or handled.
intact
Focuses on something not broken or damaged; untouched can also mean not affected or not used.

Opposites

touchedchangedaffected

Word family

touch verb
To put your hand on something or make contact with it.
touching adjective
Making you feel sympathy or sadness; moving.
untouchable adjective
Not able to be touched, changed, or criticized.

Commonly confused: untouched or untouchable?

untouched vs untouchable

Untouchable means cannot be touched or changed, often because of being too powerful or perfect. Untouched means not touched or changed yet.

Practice

The cake was left ______ on the table because everyone was too full.

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