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
She says the idea of the Sisterhood choosing to be chaste and not have men around is something considered “intensely mysterious and threatening.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 7, 2024
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
He scorned Aphrodite, he worshiped only Artemis, the huntress chaste and fair.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
Mar. Mrs. Cross, I maintain, no Woman in the Play-House, nor out of the Play-house, can be chaster than I ma'e Isabella, but trouble your Head no further, I'll do the Part my self.
From The Female Wits by Anonymous
Oh, she is chaster than lily-buds in her sweet body! … but in her spirit she is wedded—wedded to me, Sah-luma, whom thou, O King, hast ever delighted to honor!
From Ardath by Corelli, Marie
Mme. d'Albany writes with the freedom and precision of a Continental woman of the world of eighty years ago; and her remarks lose too much or gain too much by translation into our chaster language.
From The Countess of Albany by Lee, Vernon
I doubt whether there is anything chaster than the sense of beauty in abstract form; he has no inkling of this.
From The Life, Letters and Work of Frederic Leighton Volume II by Barrington, Mrs. Russell
Milton, a chaster and more unerring master of the art than Shakespeare, reveals no such lovable personality.
From Style by Raleigh, Walter Alexander, Sir
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
The inside of the domes are very beautifully enamelled in the chastest colours, and with most excellent taste, and would put to shame the most handsome drawing-room in London, I should think.
From Campaign of the Indus by Holdsworth, T.W.E.
The poet bewails his unsuccessful love for a beautiful youth, yet professing the chastest affection.
From Amenities of Literature Consisting of Sketches and Characters of English Literature by Disraeli, Isaac
Our profession is the chastest of all; even the shadow of a fault tarnishes the lustre of our finest achievements.
From The Student's Life of Washington; Condensed from the Larger Work of Washington Irving For Young Persons and for the Use of Schools by Irving, Washington
Skilful artists thou employest, And in chastest beauty joyest— Forms most delicate, pure, and clear, Frost-caught starbeams fallen sheer In the night, and woven here In jewel-fretted tapestries.
From The Ontario Readers: The High School Reader, 1886 by Ontario. Ministry of Education
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
