untouchable

American  

[uhn-tuhch-uh-buhl] / ʌnˈtʌtʃ ə bəl /

adjective

1. that may not be touched; of a nature such that it cannot be touched; not palpable; intangible.

2. too distant to be touched.

3. vile or loathsome to the touch.

4. beyond criticism, control, or suspicion.

   Modern writers consider no subject untouchable.

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noun

1. Hinduism.  the former name given to a member of the lowest castes in India whose touch was believed to defile a high-caste Hindu.

2. a person who is beyond reproach as to honesty, diligence, etc.

3. a person disregarded or shunned by society or a particular group; social outcast.

   political untouchables.

4. a person or thing considered inviolable or beyond criticism.

   such untouchables as Social Security in the federal budget.

untouchable British  

/ ʌnˈtʌtʃəbəl /

adjective

1. lying beyond reach

2. above reproach, suspicion, or impeachment

3. unable to be touched

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noun

1. taboo  a former name for Dalit

Usage

In relation to the caste system, the term untouchable is banned in both the Indian and Pakistani constitutions

Other Word Forms

• untouchability noun
• untouchably adverb

Etymology

Origin of untouchable

First recorded in 1560–70; un- ¹ + touchable

Example Sentences

They are able to freely do this because the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act only applies to a ticket resale occurring within England and Wales - so they are untouchable.

From BBC

Code, Americans can sue state and local officials for constitutional violations, but federal officials are virtually untouchable.

From The Wall Street Journal

And from there, Glasnow was untouchable, retiring 14 of his next 15 batters before his day ended on a two-out walk in the sixth.

From Los Angeles Times

The rotation has been untouchable, propelling the Dodgers to the verge of their second consecutive pennant.

From The Wall Street Journal

"We've never seen actors in this industry who looked so untouchable face these kinds of asset seizures and coordinated enforcement efforts before", said Kennedy, the research director of The Eyewitness Project.

From Barron's

Related Words

• imperceptible
• invulnerable
• sacrosanct