celibate
noun
a person who abstains from sexual relations.
celibates
-
pluralof celibate.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It's also driven by the same sort of insecurity about masculinity that underlies the so-called Men's Rights Movement and the increasingly dangerous and self-destructive cult of self-described "involuntary celibates," or incels.
From Salon ● Oct. 26, 2021
Rodger belonged to a growing online community of men who identify as involuntary celibates, or “incels”.
From The Guardian ● Oct. 19, 2020
They also cannot remarry if their wives die, and must spend the rest of their priestly lives as celibates.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 14, 2020
Unlike Islamic State jihadists and white supremacists, incels — short for involuntary celibates — are not, as a group, preaching hatred by promising a path to redemption or salvation through violence.
From New York Times ● Aug. 9, 2019
Augustine was of opinion that celibates would shine in heaven like dazzling stars.
From Religion & Sex Studies in the Pathology of Religious Development by Chapman Cohen
