intact

adjective

in·​tact in-ˈtakt 

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

in-ˈtak(t)-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

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

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of intact in a Sentence

The house survived the war intact.

After 25 years, their friendship remained intact.

Recent Examples on the Web

One official familiar with the negotiations said the mere launch of Phase 2 talks would keep the truce intact, according to the language of the deal. —Joseph Krauss, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025

Washington must make a plan that enables Taiwan to mount a viable self-defense, allows the United States to assist from a distance, and keeps the U.S. position in Asia intact regardless of how a cross-strait conflict concludes. —Jennifer Kavanagh, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025

The line that coach John Tortorella has kept intact just about every game ever since they were put together on Nov. 25 against the Vegas Golden Knights has become the Flyers’ de facto shutdown line. —Kevin Kurz, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025

For the eighth straight tournament in which both pairs were intact and entered into the draw, the two top teams of No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters & Catherine Parenteau and No. 2 Anna Bright & Rachel Rohrabacher met in the gold medal match of the PPA’s Women’s Pro Doubles draw. —Todd Boss, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for intact

• abstract
• attacked
• attract
• contact
• contract
• detract
• distract
• enact
• exact
• extract
• hijacked
• impact

Kids Definition

intact

adjective

in·​tact in-ˈtakt 

: untouched especially by anything that harms : not damaged or lessened

Medical Definition

intact

adjective

in·​tact in-ˈtakt 

: physically and functionally complete

The sense of smell was intact.

intact cell membranes

specifically, of an animal : not castrated

intactness noun