untouchable

1 of 2

adjective

un·​touch·​able ˌən-ˈtə-chə-bəl 

1

a

: forbidden to the touch : not to be handled

untouchable museum pieces

b

: exempt from criticism, control, punishment, etc.

The mayor thought he was beyond the law and untouchable.

2

: lying beyond reach

untouchable resources buried deep within the earth

3

: disagreeable or defiling to the touch

4

: too good to be equaled

The team's record was untouchable.

untouchable

2 of 2

noun

plural untouchables

: someone or something that is untouchable

… so Frey moved Keith Moreland from right-field to third base and benched Ron Cey temporarily, while Green threatened to trade heretofore untouchables.

—Peter Gammons

specifically, dated, offensive : a member of the lowest class in the traditional Hindu social hierarchy having in traditional Hindu belief the quality of defiling by contact a member of a higher caste : dalit

Synonyms of untouchable

Adjective

• inaccessible
• unavailable

Examples of untouchable in a Sentence

Adjective

The mayor believed that he was untouchable and not subject to the same laws as the rest of us.

The team's record was untouchable.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Is that accurate, and is anyone else untouchable? —Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026

In his second career Opening Day start, Ryan was nearly untouchable. —Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 26 Mar. 2026

Noun

Organizers encouraged protesters to state their untouchables in a word or two on white foam-core or poster board. —Warren Pederson, San Francisco Chronicle, 17 Jan. 2026

Artemi Panarin could be a good starting point, but there shouldn’t be any untouchables at MSG these days. —Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1909, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

untouchable

1 of 2 adjective

un·​touch·​able ˌən-ˈtəch-ə-bəl 

ˈən-

1

a

: not to be touched or handled

b

: not to be criticized or controlled

2

: lying beyond the reach

untouchable

2 of 2 noun

: one that is untouchable

especially : a member of the lowest social class in India