English Reference
adjective

untouched

adj.
US /ənˈtətʃt/ UK /ʌntˈʌtʃt/ un·touched

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    in its original, natural state and not changed or damaged by people.

    remaining in a pristine or original state; not altered, damaged, or inhabited by humans.

    Simple

    The island has miles of untouched beaches where no tourists ever go.

    In context

    Environmentalists are fighting to preserve the few remaining untouched wilderness areas from industrial development.

    pristineunspoiledvirgin
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    not used, eaten, or moved from its place.

    left in an original state without being consumed, handled, or utilized.

    Simple

    He was so upset that he left his dinner untouched on the table.

    In context

    The investigators found the victim's wallet untouched, suggesting that robbery was not the primary motive for the crime.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Formal

    not changed or influenced by a situation or by someone's feelings.

    remaining unaffected, uninfluenced, or emotionally unmoved by external circumstances.

    Simple

    Despite the economic crisis, his personal wealth remained largely untouched.

    In context

    The remote mountain village remained untouched by the social upheavals that transformed the rest of the country during the nineteenth century.

    unaffectedunmoved
  4. 04 C1 Advanced Academic

    not talked about or dealt with yet.

    not yet addressed, discussed, or explored in a conversation or study.

    Simple

    There are several important issues that were left untouched during the meeting.

    In context

    The professor noted that the ethical implications of the research were left largely untouched in the final report.

    unaddressedignored

Joe Lycett sits in a pub, an untouched pint in front of him.

The Guardian· 2 Sept 2026

Some are so badly scarred from self-harming there isn’t an inch of their bodies left untouched.

The Guardian· 27 Aug 2026

From un- + touched.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated