Looking up...
intact
/ɪnˈtækt/
complete and undamaged
The ancient artifact was recovered intact after centuries underwater.
The artifact was found completely undamaged after being submerged for hundreds of years.
formal
Remaining whole or complete, not damaged or altered
The package arrived intact despite the rough handling during shipping.
The package was not damaged even though it was handled roughly in transit.
She kept her family heirlooms intact for future generations.
She preserved her family heirlooms completely and without damage for her descendants.
Often used to emphasize that something remains in its original state despite potential risks or challenges.
Collocations
remain intactstay undamaged or unchangedkeep something intactpreserve something in its original state
Pro Tip
Avoid redundancy
Avoid pairing 'intact' with words like 'completely' or 'fully' since 'intact' already implies completeness (e.g., 'fully intact' is redundant).
Gold Rule
Context matters
Use 'intact' when emphasizing preservation against potential harm or change, not just general completeness (e.g., 'The vase is intact' implies it survived a fall, not just that it's whole).
Word Origin
From Latin *intactus* (untouched), from *in-* (not) + *tactus* (touched, past participle of *tangere* meaning 'to touch'). Entered English in the 15th century with the same meaning.
Usage Notes
Used for physical objects, abstract concepts (e.g., 'the treaty remained intact'), or emotional states (e.g., 'her dignity remained intact'). More formal than alternatives like 'whole' or 'undamaged' and often implies resilience against adversity.
Word Breakdown
in-
not
prefix-tact
touched
rootEnglish Dictionary