WordGarden.iointact
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɪntˈækt/
US
- /ˌɪnˈtækt/
Meanings
Adjective
complete and not damaged, changed, or missing parts
Beyond the definition
Imagine building a magnificent sandcastle on the beach. If it survives the waves and playful feet, it remains intact - meaning all its parts are still there and nothing is broken or missing. Something that's intact hasn't been harmed or changed. A detective might work carefully so that the evidence stays intact while they figure out what happened. You might hope your favorite antique stays intact for generations, resisting the wear and tear of time.
The word suggests a sense of wholeness and original condition. It's often used when something could have been damaged but wasn't. A fragile vase that survives a fall is intact; a document that reaches you without any pages torn out is still intact.
To say something is "intact" means it remains whole, complete, and undamaged in its original condition. It implies that there was a potential for harm or disruption, but the object or situation has survived without being broken, altered, or diminished.
Think of an ancient artifact carefully excavated from ruins – archaeologists strive to keep it intact so they can study it as close to its original form as possible. Or consider a delicate ecosystem; conservationists work tirelessly to preserve it intact, protecting it from pollution and destruction.
Intact isn't just about physical objects. It can also describe less tangible things like relationships, agreements, or abilities. A friendship that has weathered many storms remains intact. An agreement that is upheld without compromise stays intact. After an illness or accident, a doctor may say that someone's hearing, vision, or memory is still intact.
You might hear it used in legal contexts - "the evidence was presented intact to the jury" - or medical ones - "fortunately, his spinal cord remained intact after the accident."
So, when something remains intact, it's a sign of resilience, preservation, and wholeness: a state of being untouched by damaging forces. It speaks to completeness and an enduring original form.
Examples
- 1
Accidental damage
The vase fell off the shelf, but somehow it was still intact.
- 2
Historic structure
Most of the old city wall remains intact.
- 3
Package return
Please keep the seal intact until you return the package.
- 4
Confidence
The team lost the final, but their confidence stayed intact.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Reputation
She came through the scandal with her reputation intact.
- Patternwith + thing intact
without losing or damaging that thing
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
- in tact
Used with (collocations)
- remain intact
- keep intact
- largely intact
- structurally intact
Word family
- intactness
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- intactadjective