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
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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.
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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
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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
- untouchability noun
- untouchably adverb
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.
For much of his 14-year tenure, Simeone's position at Atletico felt untouchable.
From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026
I think that the Beckhams have been almost like royalty and quite untouchable.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 28, 2026
As waves of purges took down one senior figure after another in the People’s Liberation Army, Gen. Zhang Youxia had seemed untouchable.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026
The coach did not make an example of Vinicius, and instead restored his near untouchable status -- even through a run of 16 matches without scoring, which finally ended in Jeddah.
From Barron's • Jan. 12, 2026
“He knows how hot Kwang is running. John Kwang is a media darling, he is untouchable right now, and there is no sense trying to attack him.”
From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee
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.
