unchanged

unchanged — adjective

1. remaining exactly as it was before, without any differences or modifications hav

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

remaining exactly as it was before, without any differences or modifications having been made to it.

Example

Ramón noticed that his childhood home looked completely unchanged from the outside.

linking verb + completely unchanged

The prices of basic food items have stayed unchanged since last autumn.

pattern: stay + unchanged

Common collocations
  • remain unchanged
  • stay unchanged
  • keep unchanged
  • leave unchanged
  • unchanged since
  • virtually unchanged
  • largely unchanged
  • completely unchanged
Synonyms
  • unaltered

    Direct synonym; interchangeable in most contexts, slightly more formal.

  • the same

    More general and less formal; often used in everyday speech.

  • untouched

    Narrower meaning; implies something has not been physically affected or handled.

Antonyms
  • changed

    Direct opposite; the state of having been made different.

  • altered

    Similar to changed, often used for deliberate modifications.

Grammar Patterns

remain + unchanged

stay + unchanged

unchanged + noun

Usage Note

Frequently used after linking verbs such as remain, stay, and keep. Often modified by degree adverbs like virtually, largely, and completely.

Common Mistakes

Her feelings for the place remained unchanging over the years.
Her feelings for the place remained unchanged over the years.
'unchanged' means not altered; 'unchanging' means always the same in nature, which changes the meaning.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four describe a state of stability, but they differ in nuance. Unchanged is the most direct term for something that has not been modified or made different — it focuses on the absence of alteration. Unaltered is nearly identical in meaning but leans slightly more formal, often used in technical or precise contexts. Constant suggests something that continues at the same level or rate over time (e.g. a constant speed), without necessarily implying it was ever different before. The same is the most general and informal option, used across everyday situations. For example: 'The town square has remained unchanged for centuries' implies no physical modifications. 'Her attitude has remained the same' is more about perception than visible change.

unchanged ↗unalteredconstant ↗the same

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • leave unchanged
  • remain unchanged
  • stay unchanged
  • keep unchanged

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishOld FrenchLatinEnglish

Formed by adding the Old English prefix un- (meaning 'not') to the past participle changed, which comes from the verb change. The verb change entered English through Old French changier, from Latin cambiare meaning 'to exchange or barter.'