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

Derived Forms

• ˈcelibacy, noun

Other Words From

• non·celi·bate adjective
• un·celi·bate adjective

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

Harvard University’s chapter of Christian Union, called Harvard College Faith and Action, ignited controversy in 2018 for forcing a student leader to step down after finding out that she was in a celibate same-sex relationship.

From Washington Blade

Later, he told me that, because he could not change his sexuality, he planned to stay celibate for life.

From Washington Post

After a brief fling at age 40, he was celibate for the next 35 years.

From Science News

He was 35 at the time, a widely admired teacher and girls’ basketball coach who lived in a People of Praise home for celibate men.

From Washington Post

We can address these problems without all becoming celibate.

From Fortune

Does he really think that telling gay Christians to be celibate is a good idea?

From The Daily Beast

If married life is as boring and joyless as this document, I am glad I am celibate.

From The Daily Beast

His great-uncle, who has never self-identified as gay but who Sam believes is, lives a celibate life committed to the Church.

From The Daily Beast

I believe that you can choose to be celibate and that you can train people to be celibate.

From The Daily Beast

And there have always been those who have remained celibate or had only one lifelong sexual partner.

From The Daily Beast

I used to believe that there was benefit to health and increase of power, whether physical or mental, in the celibate life.

From Project Gutenberg

This glimmer of wonder and envy, the revelation of a life intensely celibate, was for an instant infinitely touching.

From Project Gutenberg

And besides they tend to the extinction of the human species by reason of their monastic and celibate ideal.

From Project Gutenberg

It goes without saying that this remarkable man was a High Churchman and a celibate.

From Project Gutenberg

"It would bring a little colour into one's life," said Eric, looking with disfavour at the grimly celibate sitting-room.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• chaste