untouchable

/ʌnˈtʌtʃəbl/ (bre, ipa) · [əntˈʌtʃəbəl] /ʌnˈtʌtʃəbl/ (ame, ipa) · [əntˈʌtʃəbəl] /ˌən-ˈtə-chə-bəl How to pronounce untouchable (audio)/ (ame, mw) · /ʌnˈtʌtʃ.ə.bəl/ (bre, ipa) · [əntˈʌtʃəbəl] /ʌnˈtʌtʃ.ə.bəl/ (ame, ipa)

untouchable — adjective

  • untouchablepositive
  • more untouchablecomparative
  • most untouchablesuperlative

1. so protected by power, fame, or influence that other people feel unable to punis

1.形容詞C1
釋義

so protected by power, fame, or influence that other people feel unable to punish, criticize, or stop them

例句

Even after the scandal, the minister acted as if he were untouchable.

be + untouchable for a powerful person beyond punishment

Fans made the singer seem untouchable on social media for years.

seem + untouchable through fame or public support

同義詞
  • immune

    often tied to a legal exemption; untouchable is broader and can come from money, fame, or fear

  • protected

    weaker and more neutral; protected does not always imply freedom from criticism

  • unaccountable

    stresses not having to answer for your actions, rather than being admired or feared

反義詞
  • vulnerable

    open to attack, criticism, or punishment

  • exposed

    no longer shielded from public attack or consequences

文法句型

be + untouchable

feel + untouchable

untouchable + politician / celebrity / company

用法筆記

Usually describes people, companies, or institutions that seem shielded from consequences. Unlike sense 4, it is not about physical touching, but about social or political protection.

常見錯誤

❌The statue was untouchable because visitors could not touch it.
✅The mayor seemed untouchable because nobody dared challenge him.
💡this sense is about power and protection, not a physical rule against touching.

2. better, stronger, or better value than anything else in the same field, so nobod

2.形容詞B2
釋義

better, stronger, or better value than anything else in the same field, so nobody can match or beat it

例句

With two laps left, Haruto's lead looked untouchable.

collocation: untouchable lead

At that price, the bakery's lunch set is untouchable in this neighborhood.

be + untouchable for value or price

同義詞
  • unbeatable

    the closest everyday synonym and often the more common choice

  • invincible

    stronger for games, fights, and direct competition

  • peerless

    more literary and less common in everyday speech

反義詞
  • beatable

    able to be defeated by an opponent

  • ordinary

    not especially strong, special, or good value

文法句型

look + untouchable

be + untouchable

untouchable + lead / price / record

用法筆記

Common in sport, business, food, and product reviews. It can describe something that cannot be defeated in competition, or something so good or cheap that rivals cannot compete with it.

常見錯誤

❌This phone is more untouchable than mine.
✅This phone is much better than mine.
💡untouchable already expresses the strongest point, so it is not normally used in the comparative.

3. an old and offensive caste label for Indians whom traditional Hindu society plac

3.形容詞C2
釋義

an old and offensive caste label for Indians whom traditional Hindu society placed at the very bottom, and for matters linked to them

例句

The textbook explains how untouchable families were kept outside the village walls.

historical use in discussions of caste in India

In the old records, untouchable workers could not enter the temple courtyard.

同義詞
  • Dalit

    a modern social and political term, not a direct neutral substitute for the historical slur

  • low-caste

    broader and descriptive; it does not carry exactly the same historical label

反義詞
  • high-caste

    describes people from socially higher caste groups in historical discussion

文法句型

untouchable + family / community / worker

the untouchable + caste / label

用法筆記

Use only when discussing older caste language or quoting historical sources. In present-day writing, a more specific or respectful term should be used instead.

4. meant to be left alone because touching it is forbidden, unsafe, or unpleasant

4.形容詞C1
釋義

meant to be left alone because touching it is forbidden, unsafe, or unpleasant

例句

The guard pointed to the painting and said it was untouchable without gloves.

be + untouchable because touching is forbidden

After the chemical spill, the wet boxes were marked untouchable until cleanup crews arrived.

mark something untouchable for safety

同義詞
  • off-limits

    focuses on rules and forbidden access more than physical contact

  • unhandleable

    much less common; suggests an object cannot be safely handled

反義詞
  • safe

    can be touched or handled without danger

  • accessible

    open for normal contact or use

文法句型

be + untouchable

mark something + untouchable

用法筆記

This is the literal physical sense. It may refer to a rule against touching, to danger, or to a surface that feels unpleasant to handle.

5. too far away, too expensive, or otherwise impossible for someone to reach or get

5.形容詞C1
釋義

too far away, too expensive, or otherwise impossible for someone to reach or get

例句

With ticket prices at five thousand dollars, the front row was untouchable for most fans.

be + untouchable because the price is out of reach

For a small village clinic, that new scanner is still untouchable.

同義詞
  • unreachable

    focuses more directly on physical or practical distance

  • unattainable

    more formal and often used for goals or ideals

  • out of reach

    the plain everyday phrase for this idea

反義詞

文法句型

be + untouchable

feel + untouchable + for + person

用法筆記

Often describes something a person wants but cannot realistically get. The barrier may be physical distance, lack of money, or circumstances that put the goal beyond reach.

untouchable — noun