What does unsullied mean?
Unsullied means entirely free from a stain, blemish, tarnish, or damaging compromise. Although it can describe something physically clean, such as snow, polished metal, or an untouched landscape, its most familiar use is figurative: an unsullied reputation, record, or character is one that has not been damaged by dishonesty, scandal, or moral failure. The word carries a strongly affirmative, elevated tone and often implies that something has remained untouched rather than merely been cleaned or repaired. It can suggest physical purity, moral integrity, or the absence of contamination. In contemporary writing, unsullied is especially associated with public reputations and professional conduct, where it conveys lasting integrity. The adverb unsulliedly is occasionally used, though the adjective is much more common. Overall, the word is useful when emphasizing both cleanliness and the idea of innocence that no compromise has compromised.
adjectiveFree from dirt, stain, tarnish, or blemish. Figuratively, it means uncorrupted by wrongdoing, compromise, or disgrace.
- Free from moral corruption, compromise, or disgrace.
- Free from physical stains, dirt, tarnish, or blemishes.
"Despite years of political controversy, her reputation remained unsullied."
"The judge maintained an unsullied reputation throughout a lengthy and difficult inquiry."
"Snow lay on the road in an unsullied white blanket."
Unsullied suggests more than ordinary cleanliness: it evokes a reputation or character untouched by anything capable of leaving a mark.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unsullied come from?
Unsullied was formed in the early 17th century by combining the negative prefix un- with sully and the adjectival suffix -ed. Sully is a Middle English verb meaning “to soil, stain, or defile,” borrowed through Anglo-French from Old French souiller, “to soil.” Thus, the original sense of unsullied was “not soiled or stained,” which readily developed into its figurative sense of being morally unblemished.
Related word forms
How unsullied is actually used
Formal and somewhat literary or archaic in tone. It is especially common in descriptions of reputations, conduct, honours, records, and other things presented as having escaped corruption or disgrace.
Easily confused with unsullied
Unsullied means free from a stain or blemish, whereas sullied means marked by dirt, damage, or moral compromise.