intact

adjective in·tact \ in-ˈtakt \

Updated on: 3 Dec 2017

Definition of intact

1 : untouched especially by anything that harms or diminishes : entire, uninjured

2 of a living body or its parts : having no relevant component removed or destroyed:

a : physically virginal

b : not castrated

—

intactness

play \in-ˈtak(t)-nəs\ noun

See intact defined for English-language learners

See intact defined for kids

Examples of intact in a Sentence

The house survived the war intact.
After 25 years, their friendship remained intact.

Recent Examples of intact from the Web

But government-worker unions are hoping the Supreme Court will sidestep the Constitution to keep their current arrangement intact.

— jacob huebert, National Review, "No Government Worker Should Be Forced to Pay Union Dues," 27 Sep. 2017
One was a cluster of three buildings that remained fully intact with the roof on.

— jacqueline charles, miamiherald, "It’ll be a long road to Caribbean recovery after Irma for some islands," 14 Sep. 2017
The desert eventually thawed the thug out of my brother, but his macho exterior remained intact.

— jenny mollen, Marie Claire, "Actress and Author Jenny Mollen Opens Up About Her Family's Scary Health Crisis," 17 July 2017
Fortunately, the grand neoclassical proportions had remained intact for more than a century and a half.

— peter terzian, ELLE Decor, "Poetic License," 7 Dec. 2011
But 80 percent of workers believed that their own jobs would remain intact.

— caroline beaton, The Atlantic, "Humans Are Bad at Predicting Futures That Don’t Benefit Them," 2 Nov. 2017
The original building, which was constructed in 1926 and features over 3,000 seats, remains intact, but redevelopment plans remain unclear.

— john l. dorman, New York Times, "How to Experience Fats Domino’s New Orleans," 27 Oct. 2017
The preservation and protection of the historic and archeological sites in Mariemont will help ensure that the character of the village remains intact.

— jeanne houck, Cincinnati.com, "Verdict in: Bikes out in Mariemont park," 20 Oct. 2017
Steep it a little longer, but the flavor will remain intact (for most teas).

— alex beggs, Bon Appetit, "The Only Tea Bag For Loose-Leaf Tea Lovers," 6 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'intact.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of intact

Middle English intacte, from Latin intactus, from in- + tactus, past participle of tangere to touch — more at ²tangent

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First Known Use: 15th century

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intact Synonyms

Synonyms

compleat, comprehensive, entire, full, grand, complete, integral, perfect, plenary, total, whole

Antonyms

imperfect, incomplete, partial

Related Words

unabridged, uncut, undiminished; all-out, exhaustive, extensive, maximal; full-blooded, full-blown, full-bore, full-fledged, full-on, full-out, full-scale

Near Antonyms

abbreviated, abridged, cut, diminished, reduced

Synonym Discussion of intact

perfect, whole, entire, intact mean not lacking or faulty in any particular. perfect implies the soundness and the excellence of every part, element, or quality of a thing frequently as an unattainable or theoretical state.

- a perfect set of teeth

whole suggests a completeness or perfection that can be sought, gained, or regained.

- felt like a whole person again after vacation

entire implies perfection deriving from integrity, soundness, or completeness of a thing.

- the entire Beethoven corpus

intact implies retention of perfection of a thing in its natural or original state.

- the boat survived the storm intact

INTACT Defined for English Language Learners

intact

adjective

Definition of intact for English Language Learners

: not broken or damaged : having every part

INTACT Defined for Kids

intact

adjective in·tact \ in-ˈtakt \

Definition of intact for Students

: not broken or damaged : not touched especially by anything that harms

The storm left our house intact.

Word Root of intact

The Latin word tangere, meaning “to touch,” and its form tactus give us the roots tang and tact. Words from the Latin tangere have something to do with touching. Something tangible is able to be touched. Contact is a meeting or touching of people or things. Something intact is unharmed, whole, and untouched. Anything tactile relates to the sense of touch.

Medical Dictionary

intact

adjective in·tact \ in-ˈtakt \

medical Definition of intact

1 : physically and functionally complete

the sense of touch was intact

intact cell membranes

: as

a : physically virginal

when intact adult females were brought into heat
—Anatomical Record

b : not castrated —used chiefly of a domestic animal

the medication may cause severe problems for intact female cats

2 : mentally unimpaired

—

intactness

noun

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intact

Definition of intact

intactness

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Examples of intact in a Sentence

Recent Examples of intact from the Web

Origin and Etymology of intact

intact Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of intact

INTACT Defined for English Language Learners

intact

Definition of intact for English Language Learners

INTACT Defined for Kids

intact

Definition of intact for Students

Word Root of intact

Medical Dictionary

intact

medical Definition of intact

intactness

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