celibate

[sel-uh-bit, -beyt]

noun

1. a person who abstains from sexual relations.

2. a person who remains unmarried, especially for religious reasons.

adjective

1. observing or pertaining to sexual abstention or a religious vow not to marry.

2. not married.

celibate

/ ˈsɛlɪbɪt /

noun

1. a person who is unmarried, esp one who has taken a religious vow of chastity

adjective

1. unmarried, esp by vow

2. abstaining from sexual intercourse

Other Word Forms

• noncelibate adjective
• uncelibate adjective
• celibacy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of celibate¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin caelib- (stem of caelebs ) “unmarried” + -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of celibate¹

C17: from Latin caelibātus, from caelebs unmarried, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

“We were a pair of married celibates,” Evelyn observes when they arrive in Venice to celebrate the new year and new century.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Chun notes that the mismatch in the marriage landscape has bred in many the misogynistic resentment associated with incels, a term for men who identify as involuntarily celibate.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“A few weeks later, I decided to spend three months celibate.”

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Incels, short for involuntary celibate, are men who blame women because they are unable to find a sexual partner.

Read more on BBC

I decided to spend some time celibate, to abstain not only from sex but also all the attendant activities, including dating and even flirting.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• chaste