untouched
un-TUCHT
/ʌnˈtʌtʃt/
Not affected, changed, damaged, or modified by human intervention.
A straightforward physical description indicating that human contact or disturbance has not occurred.
The story behind the word. Formed by combining the Germanic prefix un- (expressing negation) with the verb touch (from Old French tochier, originally imitative of a light strike). It has straightforwardly meant 'not physically handled or altered' since Middle English.
Word relationships
- unaltered: Unaltered refers to anything unchanged, while untouched specifically highlights absence of physical contact or damage.
- disturbed: Disturbed indicates human or natural disruption.
Commonly confused with
- pristine: Pristine carries a high stylistic tone of immaculate beauty; untouched is neutral and literal.
Word family
- touch (verb): To bring a hand or object into contact with something.
Collocations
- untouched wilderness
- virtually untouched
- remain untouched
Example sentences
- "The island's inner valleys remained untouched by modern industry." Geography
Memory hook
UN (not) + TOUCHED = no hands have ever touched it. Untouched = zero contact.
When not to use
Avoid when you want to convey a poetic sense of ancient wonder; use primeval or pristine instead.
Fun facts
- Food left on a plate at dinner can also be called 'untouched,' proving how versatile the physical root is.
Explore more words
unbroken, uninterrupted, unpretentious, incorruptible, unruffled, preservation
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