chaste

[ cheyst ]
See synonyms for: chastechastelychasteness on Thesaurus.com

adjective,chast·er, chast·est.
  1. refraining from sexual intercourse that is regarded as contrary to morality or religion; virtuous.

  1. not engaging in sexual relations; celibate.

  2. free from obscenity; decent: chaste conversation.

  3. undefiled or stainless: chaste, white snow.

  4. pure in style; not excessively ornamented; simple.

  5. Obsolete. not married.

Origin of chaste

1
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin castus “clean, pure, chaste”

Other words for chaste

Opposites for chaste

Other words from chaste

  • chastely, adverb
  • chasteness, noun

Words that may be confused with chaste

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use chaste in a sentence

  • The chaster she is, all the more will she revolt at the shamefulness of the verification!

  • "Unmatcht for beauty, chaster than the ayre," wrote one poet.

  • Milton, a chaster and more unerring p. 128master of the art than Shakespeare, reveals no such lovable personality.

    Style | Walter Raleigh
  • "I am glad to get rid of him," said the hotel proprietor, after Wilberforce Chaster had departed.

    Joe The Hotel Boy | Horatio Alger Jr.
  • Trembling in every limb Wilberforce Chaster came forward and peered into the room.

    Joe The Hotel Boy | Horatio Alger Jr.

British Dictionary definitions for chaste

chaste

/ (tʃeɪst) /


adjective
  1. not having experienced sexual intercourse; virginal

  2. abstaining from sexual intercourse, esp that which is unlawful or immoral

  1. (of conduct, speech, etc) pure; decent; modest

  2. (of style or taste) free from embellishment; simple; restrained

Origin of chaste

1
C13: from Old French, from Latin castus pure; compare caste

Derived forms of chaste

  • chastely, adverb
  • chasteness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012