Do you know the definition of intact? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word intact, including its definition, etymology, usage, example sentences, and more!
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Kevin
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October 29, 2021
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Common Questions
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What does the word intact mean?
According to Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word intact is an adjective that means unbroken or unchanged, and still retaining its original integrity and undiminished entirety. The word intact can also refer to a domestic animal that has not been fixed – if an entire horse is intact or you have an intact bull, it has not been spayed or neutered. Intact female cats have not been spayed and will go into heat. This term can also be used to describe humans – intact adult females have the hymen unbroken, and an intact penis is the opposite of a circumcised penis and still has the foreskin. Intact is two syllables – in-tact, and the pronunciation of intact is ɪntækt.
Many different languages also use their own terms that mean intact. You may notice that some of these translations of intact from Word Sense look and sound similar to the word intact. These are called cognates, which are formed when two words of different languages have the same language of origin or root.
- Asturian: intautu
- Finnish: ehjä, koskematon
- Occitan: intacte
- French: intact
- Galician: intacto
- Catalan: intacte
- Sundanese: weuteuh
- Dutch: intact
- Italian: intatto
- Spanish: intacto
- Russian: невреди́мый
- Portuguese: intacto, intato
- Greek: άθικτος
What are synonyms and antonyms of intact?
There are many different words that can be used in place of the word intact. These words are called synonyms, which are words and phrases that have the same definition as another given word or phrase. Learning synonyms is a great way to expand your vocabulary and avoid repeating yourself in written and spoken English. This list of synonyms for the word intact is provided by Power Thesaurus.
- whole-length
- unchanged
- pristine
- unscratched
- undamaged
- unflawed
- full-length
- safe
- compleat
- home-free
- lock stock and barrel
- unmolested
- whole
- uncut
- unmarred
- unreduced
- replete
- faultless
- maiden
- free from danger
- without a scratch
- unspoilt
- unimpaired
- unmarked
- complete
- grand
- unspoiled
- uncondensed
- correct
- unsullied
- inviolable
- unharmed
- integrated
- preserved
- unblemished
- fresh
- healthy
- virgin
- spotless
- imperforate
- unhurt
- mint
- not hurt
- undisturbed
- entire
- unscathed
- unsevered
- pure
- jammed full
- inviolate
- unscarred
- unshortened
- total
- chaste
- unabridged
- perfect
- out of danger
- flawless
- incorrupt
- livelong
- virginal
- impeccable
- unviolated
- good
- indiscrete
- unmutilated
- safe and sound
- comprehensive
- unexpurgated
- solid
- thorough
- untainted
- plenary
- same
- unbroken
- unabbreviated
- in safety
- undocked
- exhaustive
- all
- maintained
- full-dress
- in one piece
- untouched
- packed like sardines
- not damaged
- unthreatened
- secure
- all in one piece
- ship-shape
- undivided
- immaculate
- untarnished
- full
- buttoned up
- undiminished
- integral
- sound
- undefiled
- uninjured
There are also plenty of different words that have the opposite meaning of intact. These opposite words are called antonyms, which are another great tool for expanding your English language vocabulary in a quick and easy way. This list of antonyms is also provided by Power Thesaurus.
- abbreviated
- non-functioning
- not working
- defective
- partial
- lame
- cracked
- abridged
- in smithers
- harmed
- in smithereens
- reduced
- injured
- busted
- maimed
- not functioning
- in pieces
- malfunctioning
- on its last legs
- destroyed
- imperfect
- fractured
- faulty
- crushed
- in bits
- broken-down
- impaired
- on the blink
- not in working order
- torn
- wiped out
- smashed
- ruptured
- done for
- splintered
- affected by
- black and blue
- severed
- basic
- unsound
- blue
- rent
- bust
- playing up
- defaced
- crude
- acting up
- compact
- snapped
- concupiscent
- wrecked
- wonky
- carnal
- bawdy
- shattered
- blasted
- x-rated
- out of order
- not perfect
- corrupt
- debauched
- shivered
- breakable
- brief
- coarse
- shallow
- collapsed
- conked out
- almost empty
- adult
- separated
- frail
- circumscribed
- bad
- split
- out of kilter
- culpable
- burst
- brittle
- buggered
- cut
- gone haywire
- in disrepair
- kaput
- crippled
- out of commission
- finished
- broken
- knackered
- gone phut
- chipped
- disintegrated
- duff
- dud
- damaged
- incomplete
- diminished
- inoperative
- demolished
- fragmented
What is the word origin of intact?
According to Etymonline, the word intact (adj.) has been used since c15 and comes from the Latin intactus/Latin intāctus. This 15th century word comes from the past participle of tangere/tangĕre and the Latin tactus and tactum. Related words include intactness, formed by the suffix ness. This word is of Indo-European roots.
How can the word intact be used in a sentence?
The word intact can be used in numerous different sentences in the English language. Using words in a sentence is a great way to memorize their definitions so that you can incorporate them into your vocabulary. You can also try making flashcards or quizzes for yourself to test your knowledge of different terms. Try to use this new word of the day in a sentence today! It might become a new favorite word. Below are several examples of the word intact to help get you started. Author F.W. Robertson believed the everlasting basis of our common nature is always intact.
The bottle of liquid medication remained intact despite rough handling at the airport.
The resort we were on vacation at remained intact through the storm, and our belongings were safe.
The vase containing the human soul remained intact on the long journey, carried by the hero to the tomb. There were no external differences from the start to the end of the quest.
Psychiatrists tried to keep the whole person intact in his original state despite severe problems of disassociation. They tried to get him to focus on his sense of touch to stay grounded in reality.
Overall, intact means the quality of a thing remaining in its original state, the completeness of a thing, or the retention of perfection of a thing. Try using this word of the day in a sentence today!
Sources:
- intact | Origin and meaning of intact | Online Etymology Dictionary
- Intact definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary
- intact: meaning, origin, translation | Word Sense
- Intact synonyms – 863 Words and Phrases for Intact | Power Thesaurus
- Intact antonyms – 412 Opposites of Intact | Power Thesaurus
