untouchable
Americanadjective
-
that may not be touched; of a nature such that it cannot be touched; not palpable; intangible.
-
too distant to be touched.
-
vile or loathsome to the touch.
-
beyond criticism, control, or suspicion.
Modern writers consider no subject untouchable.
noun
-
untouchables
plural
-
Hinduism. the former name given to a member of the lowest castes in India whose touch was believed to defile a high-caste Hindu.
-
a person who is beyond reproach as to honesty, diligence, etc.
-
a person disregarded or shunned by society or a particular group; social outcast.
political untouchables.
-
a person or thing considered inviolable or beyond criticism.
such untouchables as Social Security in the federal budget.
adjective
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lying beyond reach
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above reproach, suspicion, or impeachment
-
unable to be touched
noun
Usage
In relation to the caste system, the term untouchable is banned in both the Indian and Pakistani constitutions
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of untouchable
Vocabulary lists containing untouchable
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The episode was a stunning rebuke for Rocha, who until now was seen as untouchable because of his close relationship with López Obrador.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
In addition, the club also has a group of players it considers "untouchable", meaning they are not for sale - but Fofana does not feature on that list.
From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026
Xabi Alonso's first match as Chelsea manager was defined by four strikers - an untouchable one, one that struggled again and could leave, a promising talent, and one that could join.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
Mozeliak said he does not believe any player should be untouchable.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026
Yakov hadn’t been untouchable; he had been broken to shards inside.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
“There shouldn’t be some sort of untouchables list of people who are immune from enforcement.”
From Salon ● Jun. 10, 2026
National security advisers, who form a chain of foreign policy expertise from administration to administration, are mostly untouchables, too.
From Washington Post ● May 24, 2022
"Only without fear from the untouchables Bulgaria can truly change," Petkov said.
From Reuters ● Mar. 18, 2022
The girl's parents are Dalits - formerly untouchables - who make a living by begging outside a Sufi Muslim shrine located just across from the cremation ground in Delhi's Nangal area.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2021
The young doctor was soon famous for his willingness to help the poor and the untouchables.
From "Everything Sad Is Untrue" by Daniel Nayeri
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
