incel

American  

[in-sel] / ˈɪnˌsɛl /

noun

1. a member of an online subculture of men who want to have sex but are unable to find sexual partners, typically blaming women or hating people who are sexually successful (often used attributively).

   Perhaps unsurprisingly, contemplation and discussion of suicide features prominently on incel forums.

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Etymology

Origin of incel

First recorded in 1990–95; earlier INVCEL, short for involuntarily celibate

Example Sentences

One might say it works as a commentary on incel culture, but that collapses the more Barker paints Bear as an unwitting victim of his own perfectly normal hopes and dreams.

From Salon • Jun. 4, 2026

Earlier this month, Peters walked out of an interview with “60 Minutes Australia” after being asked whether he identifies with the incel community.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

The word incel crops up, as does American gun culture.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

"It's quite easy to make a version of that story where he's a sort of toxic incel male conspiracy theorist nut who you don't really sympathize with," he told AFP.

From Barron's • Mar. 1, 2026

Perhaps surprisingly, "incel" wasn't a familiar term to Ben, and his dad Martin had to explain it as they watched the programme.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2025