unspoiled

/ʌnˈspɔɪld/
not damaged or ruined

The unspoiled beaches of the island attract many tourists.

The beaches remain natural and untouched by human activity.


neutral

not spoiled or harmed; remaining in a natural, pristine state

The national park is known for its unspoiled wilderness.

The park's natural environment is undisturbed by development.

She preferred the unspoiled charm of small villages over big cities.

She liked the authentic, untouched atmosphere of rural areas.

Often used to describe natural landscapes, environments, or qualities that remain pure and unaltered.

Collocations

unspoiled naturenatural environments that are not damaged or pollutedunspoiled beautypristine and untouched beautyunspoiled landscapea view or scenery that is not spoiled by human activity

Pro Tip

Avoid confusion with 'unspoilt'

'Unspoiled' and 'unspoilt' are interchangeable in most contexts, though 'unspoilt' is more common in British English. Both mean 'not spoiled or damaged.'

Gold Rule

Use for physical states

Apply 'unspoiled' to tangible things like landscapes, food, or objects. Do not use it for abstract qualities like 'unspoiled innocence'—opt for 'unsullied' or 'untarnished' instead.

Word Origin

From Middle English 'unspoyled' (unharmed), from Old French 'despoillier' (to strip, rob) via Latin 'despoliare' (to plunder), with the prefix 'un-' indicating negation. The sense of 'not spoiled' emerged in the 16th century.

Usage Notes

Commonly used in environmental, travel, and descriptive contexts. Avoid using for abstract concepts like 'unspoiled reputation'—use 'unsullied' instead.

Word Breakdown

un-
not
prefix
+
spoil
to damage or ruin
root
+
-ed
past participle suffix
suffix
English Dictionary