untouched

comparative more untouched · superlative most untouched · alternative obsolete untoucht

1. Remaining in its original, pristine state, undamaged; not altered.

   There are practically no untouched forests left in Europe.

   3 more examples

   The altars used for magical purposes were of carved wood or, if made of stone, had to be a natural slab, unhewn and untouched by hammer or chisel.

   1936, Rollo Ahmed, The Black Art, London: Long, page 155

   Most of the Himalayan rivers have been relatively untouched by dams near their sources. Now the two great Asian powers, India and China, are rushing to harness them as they cut through some of the world's deepest valleys.

   2013 August 16, John Vidal, “Dams endanger ecology of Himalayas”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 10, archived from the original on 18 Aug 2019, page 8

   HS2 Ltd has continued to refine the designs, so that seven fewer ancient woodlands will be affected. This reduces the total number to 25. And of those 25 woodlands, 85% of the total area will remain untouched by HS2.

   2023 August 23, Chris Howe, “Green screen: HS2's route through the shires”, in RAIL, number 990, page 34

   Synonyms: unaltered, unscathed, unspoiled, unsullied, virgin, maiden

2. Not eaten.

   He left his vegetables untouched.

   Synonyms: unconsumed, uneaten, undevoured, unscarfed, unscoffed

3. Not influenced, affected or swayed.

   She was untouched by his tale of woes.

   Synonyms: indifferent, unmoved, adiaphroistic, apathetic, apathistical, blasé, blithe, deaf

4. Not having come in contact.

   Our chocolates are untouched by human hands.

   1 more example

   Once the tough job is done for Prosser, he says he can then get his golf clubs back out - they have been in the cupboard untouched for a decade.

   2023 November 15, Ian Prosser talks to Stefanie Foster, “A healthy person is a more productive person”, in RAIL, number 996, page 37

   Synonyms: unhandled

5. Not read or examined.

   1 more example

   He was about to open one of the scrolls, when Francesca took them from his hand. "Nay, Guido, we will not read them: there are some letters never meant but for one eye, and such are these. This packet shall be given untouched into Lord Avonleigh's"—she corrected her words—"into my father's own hands."

   1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XIII, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume II, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 165

   Synonyms: unexamined, unread, unscanned

6. Not discussed or talked about.

   Politics was an untouched topic in our family.

   Synonyms: indiscussed, unaddressed, undiscoursed, undiscussed

alternative obsolete untoucht

1. participlepastsimple past and past participle of untouch