unbitten

Unbitten is an adjective meaning “not bitten.” The literal sense describes something that has been left untouched by a bite, such as an apple, a piece of bread, or another object that could have been eaten. The word can also be used figuratively for a person, team, or undertaking that remains unaffected by criticism, pressure, an attack, or another adverse influence: “The team was unbitten by the opening spell of pressure.” Unbitten is especially associated with food and with images of something left intact, unclaimed, or deliberately preserved. It is less common than general words such as untouched, unharmed, or unaffected, but its specific wording makes it vivid in descriptions of ordinary objects and occasionally effective in more literary prose. Although it can describe a person literally, its usual modern use is with food and other biteable objects.

Not bitten; left intact or unharmed by biting. By extension, it can mean unaffected by a damaging or unwelcome influence.

Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Where does unbitten come from?

The word is an English formation using the prefix un-, meaning “not,” with bitten, the past participle of bite. Its base verb comes from Old English bītan, “to bite,” and belongs to the Germanic family of verbs for biting; related forms appear in languages including German beißen and Dutch bijten. The negative adjective developed later as an English formation and has no separate noun or verb inflection.

How unbitten is actually used

The word is most natural in literal contexts involving food or objects, especially when something remains untouched. Its figurative use is possible but less common and has a somewhat literary tone.

Easily confused with unbitten

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Words and phrases paired with unbitten

What's the opposite of unbitten?

Rhymes with unbitten