Unscathed means completely unharmed or undamaged after going through something dangerous or difficult. If you walk away from a bicycle crash unscathed, you don't have any scratches, bruises, or injuries. If a house survives a hurricane unscathed, it has no broken windows, missing shingles, or water damage.

The word suggests that harm seemed likely or even expected, but somehow didn't happen. A soccer goalie might emerge unscathed from a tough game where players kept crashing into her. A student's science project might make it through a bumpy bus ride unscathed, arriving at the science fair in perfect condition.

Unscathed can describe physical safety or other kinds of protection too. Someone's reputation might emerge unscathed from a scandal, meaning their good name wasn't damaged. A team's confidence might remain unscathed after a loss, meaning their spirits stayed strong.

The word often appears in phrases like “escape unscathed” or “emerge unscathed,” emphasizing the relief that comes from avoiding expected harm. When you make it through something challenging without any damage or hurt, you've come through unscathed.