chastity

Chastity most commonly refers to the quality or virtue of refraining from sexual activity that’s considered immoral, especially according to the teachings of a certain religion.

It sometimes means about the same thing as celibacy—refraining from all sexual activity. When members of certain religions take a vow of chastity, this is usually what it means.

Chastity is the quality of being chaste. The word chaste can be used to describe someone who refrains sexual activity considered immoral or any sexual activity. 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 chastity.

The first records of the word chastity come from around 1200. It ultimately comes from the Latin castus, meaning “pure.” The word caste comes from the same root. The suffix -ity is used to form abstract nouns.

What’s considered morally pure heavily depends on cultural and religious norms, and the idea of chastity may differ from one religion to another or one person to another. In Christianity, the word chastity often refers to the avoidance of sexual activity outside of marriage or sexual activity without the goal of reproduction. Describing someone as unchaste is a moral judgment, and the person may take offense to this, especially if they don’t believe in the same set of morals. In many religions, the promotion of chastity has traditionally been directed more toward women, leading some people to criticize such lessons as sexist or oppressive.

Chastity appears in the phrase chastity belt, a type of device that typically covers the genitals and is designed to prevent sexual contact with the person wearing it.

What are some other forms related to chastity?

• nonchastity (noun)
• chaste (adjective)

What are some synonyms for chastity?

• purity
• celibacy
• abstinence

What are some words that share a root or word element with chastity? 

• chastity belt
• unchaste
• caste

What are some words that often get used in discussing chastity?

• virtue
• sex
• virginity
• innocence
• vow
• belt
• marriage
• practice

The word chastity is usually used in the context of religion, or in the criticism of religious teaching about such things.

@SBroadie Nuns do not have boyfriends. We take a vow of chastity- giving our whole selves to the Lord. Hope this helps clarify.

— Sr Margaret Michael (@srmmichael) November 26, 2014

What a loss for Westeros that as kingsguard Podrick has to take a vow of chastity

— Sally Tamarkin (@sallyt) May 21, 2019

Preaching that chastity = purity creates an environment that insinuates a woman's worth is based on her virginity.

— This Machine Kills Fascists (@RoyalHoeliness) April 15, 2014