What does unblemished mean?
Unblemished means entirely free from a blemish, flaw, stain, or other imperfection. Its most familiar use is physical: an unblemished surface, complexion, garment, or landscape has no visible mark or damage. The word also has a figurative sense, describing a person, organization, or record as free from scandal, wrongdoing, or criticism. In these contexts, it suggests not merely good quality but exceptional or perfect integrity. Unblemished is generally formal and often appears in commemorative, descriptive, or literary writing. Because it forms an absolute contrast with blemished, it conveys a strong sense of purity and completeness. Common expressions include an unblemished record and an unblemished reputation. The word is especially useful when an author wants to emphasize that nothing has spoiled a person’s character, a surface’s condition, or an achievement’s history.
adjectiveFree from any blemish, flaw, defect, or stain; perfect in condition or character.
- Free from any physical defect, stain, or flaw.
- Free from moral fault, reproach, or damage to one's reputation.
"The jeweller examined the diamond and confirmed that its surface was completely unblemished."
"The painting's unblemished surface suggests that it has never been restored or retouched."
"Despite years of public scrutiny, the minister maintained an unblemished reputation for honesty."
Adding un- to blemish creates a word that can describe both a flawless surface and an unimpeachable reputation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unblemished come from?
Unblemished was formed in English by combining the prefix un- with blemish, a word denoting a flaw, stain, or damaging mark. The prefix un- gives the adjective its negative meaning, indicating that no such mark or defect is present. The underlying word blemish developed in Middle English and relates to an Anglo-French and Old French tradition of describing spoiling or tarnishing, although the exact older root is not entirely certain.
Related word forms
How unblemished is actually used
Formal and commendatory. It is especially common in descriptions of appearance, surfaces, records, and reputations, where it conveys a sense of absolute perfection that may be literary or rhetorical.
Easily confused with unblemished
Unblemished means completely free from a flaw or stain, whereas blemished means marked by one.