chaste
Americanadjective
-
refraining from sexual intercourse that is regarded as contrary to morality or religion; virtuous.
- Synonyms:
- continent
- Antonyms:
- immoral
-
not engaging in sexual relations; celibate.
-
free from obscenity; decent.
chaste conversation.
- Antonyms:
- coarse
-
undefiled or stainless.
chaste, white snow.
- Synonyms:
- unsullied
-
pure in style; not excessively ornamented; simple.
- Synonyms:
- neat, unaffected
- Antonyms:
- ornate
-
Obsolete. not married.
adjective
-
not having experienced sexual intercourse; virginal
-
abstaining from sexual intercourse, esp that which is unlawful or immoral
-
(of conduct, speech, etc) pure; decent; modest
-
(of style or taste) free from embellishment; simple; restrained
Usage
What does chaste mean? Chaste is most commonly used to describe someone who refrains from sexual activity that’s considered immoral, especially according to the teachings of a certain religion. The state or quality of being chaste is chastity. The word chaste can also be used to describe someone who refrains from all sexual activity—someone who is celibate. When members of certain religions take a vow of chastity, this is usually what it means. Chaste can also be used in a more general way to mean morally pure. Example: When I went to Catholic high school, my religion teachers always emphasized the virtue of being chaste.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of chaste
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin castus “clean, pure, chaste”
Explanation
If you belong to a chastity club, you might have to take a pledge to be chaste until marriage. Chaste can be defined as "pure and virtuous," but basically it means "not having sex." This word is related to the Latin source of the verb castrate "to remove a man's testicles," so it's definitely related to sex. And chaste is from the same Latin source as the noun caste "a Hindu social class separated from other classes." So the word chaste means no sex, and the word caste means pure and virtuous.
Vocabulary lists containing chaste
Mythology
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The Merchant of Venice
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The Odyssey
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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.
See Examples For:
Jesus is widely thought to have never married and to have lived a chaste life.
From Barron's ● Jan. 29, 2026
It keeps the romance chaste, features an appealing diverse cast and skips the Sam Elliot mentor character altogether.
From Salon ● Mar. 22, 2024
K-dramas are famously chaste, which is part of their global appeal.
From BBC ● Dec. 9, 2023
Apart from the central metaphor, its LGBTQ+-ness is expressed in brief, chaste moments of closeness between the two main male characters.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 15, 2023
And all throughout you must be the favorite chaste love of the people.
From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee
But it remained for the chaster genius of Addison to banish this painful topic from his elegant pages.
From Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 1 by Isaac Disraeli
He is often puerile, diffuse, and artificial, and seems to have but little acquaintance with those chaster and severer graces, by whom the epic muse would be most suitably attended.
From Famous Reviews by R. Brimley Johnson
His taste was much simpler, chaster, and less inclined to the florid and Asiatic, than that of Cicero.
From "De Bello Gallico" and Other Commentaries by Julius Caesar
This school—except in so far as Cicero had criticized it for going to extremes—had not yet been effectively challenged by the rising generation of the chaster Atticists.
From Vergil A Biography by Tenney Frank
Then blush no more; but let thy chaster flame, That knows no cause, know no effects of shame.
From Thomas Stanley: His Original Lyrics, Complete, In Their Collated Readings of 1647, 1651, 1657. With an Introduction, Textual Notes, A List of Editions, An Appendis of Translation, and a Portrait. by Thomas Stanley
For decades Bollywood produced the chastest of films: boy met girl, but there were no kisses, hips only thrust during dance numbers, and the audience knew that romance would be followed by marriage.
From Time Magazine Archive
"Our profession," said Washington, "is the chastest of all; even the shadow of a fault tarnishes the lustre of our finest achievements."
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 08, No. 47, September, 1861 by Various
Evil tongues do not spare even the chastest and most admirable souls.
From The Carlovingian Coins Or The Daughters of Charlemagne. A Tale of the Ninth Century by Eugène Sue
Our profession," he said, "is the chastest of all.
From Harper's New Monthly Magazine No. XVI.?September, 1851?Vol. III. by Various
Fair fame, bright honour, virtue firm, rare grace, The chastest beauty in celestial frame,— These be the roots whence birth so noble came.
From The Sonnets, Triumphs, and Other Poems of Petrarch by Thomas Campbell
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