untouched
- Adjective:
- Not physically handled or used: Remaining in its original state; not altered, damaged, or consumed.
- Not emotionally affected: Remaining calm or indifferent; not moved by a situation or event.
- Not discussed or considered: Not having been addressed or dealt with.
Not physically handled or used: The ancient ruins were left untouched for centuries.She left her meal untouched on the plate.
Not emotionally affected: He remained untouched by the criticism, continuing his work as usual.The tragic news left her strangely untouched.
Not discussed or considered: That important issue was left untouched in the meeting.Several key arguments in the report remain untouched.
"Untouched by": This common collocation emphasizes what has not affected the subject. The small village is untouched by modern technology.His reputation was untouched by the scandal.
"Leave something untouched": To deliberately not use, change, or interfere with something. The will stipulated that the capital should be left untouched.We decided to leave the natural landscape untouched.
Untouchable (adj): Cannot or should not be touched; often used to describe something sacred, forbidden, or invulnerable. The artifacts in the museum are untouchable.His lead in the competition seemed untouchable.
Untouching (adj): (Less common) Not capable of touching or affecting. (Note: This is different from "untouched" and is rarely used.)
- Unharmed: Not injured or damaged.
- Unscathed: Without suffering any injury, damage, or harm.
- Pristine: In its original condition; unspoiled.
- Unmoved: Not emotionally affected.
- Intact: Not damaged or impaired in any way; complete.
- Touched: Affected emotionally or altered physically.
- Altered: Changed or modified.
- Damaged: Harmed or impaired.
- Affected: Influenced or touched emotionally.
- The word often carries connotations of purity, preservation, or isolation. An "untouched" forest implies it is pristine and wild. An "untouched" person may seem aloof or resilient.
- It can describe abstract concepts:
- In a negative context, it can imply neglect:
- emotionally unmoved
- always appeared completely unmoved and imperturbable
- not having come in contact
- not influenced or affected
- stewed in its petty provincialism untouched by the brisk debates that stirred the old world- V.L.Parrington
- unswayed by personal considerations
- still full
- an untouched cocktail in her hand