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

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

The “international community” treats that project as inviolable, inevitable, untouchable.

From The Wall Street Journal

LinkedIn has always required real names, though that idea wasn’t always untouchable.

From The Wall Street Journal

“They know that they are not untouchable anymore,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Unbeaten, champion at all those weights, untouchable, regal, and he goes.

From BBC

Related Words

• imperceptible
• invulnerable
• sacrosanct