unadulterated

Unadulterated is an adjective meaning not adulterated; not mixed with inferior or extraneous substances, free from contamination, dilution, or impurities. In literal use it describes a substance that has not been altered by additives or adulterants; in figurative use it describes something that is pure, complete, or genuine. The term derives from the prefix un- attached to adulterate, which comes from Latin adulterare “to corrupt.”

In regulatory and commercial contexts, unadulterated often signals compliance with purity standards. Food and beverage labeling may use it to contrast with adulterated products; adulteration is illegal in many jurisdictions, and agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Food Safety Authority oversee testing and labeling, though exact definitions vary. Examples include unadulterated milk (no dilution beyond standard processing), unadulterated honey (no syrups or sugar syrups), and unadulterated water (free from added substances). Marketers sometimes use the term to imply quality, but consumers should rely on independent testing and certifications for verified purity.

Figuratively, unadulterated is used to emphasize sincerity or intensity: unadulterated joy, unadulterated truth. It connotes completeness without compromise and is often employed to strengthen a claim or description. The term can carry a value judgment depending on context and may be contested if purity is asserted on selective or misleading grounds.

See also: adulteration, purity, certification, quality control.