celibate
a person who abstains from sexual relations.
a person who remains unmarried, especially for religious reasons.
observing or pertaining to sexual abstention or a religious vow not to marry.
not married.
Origin of celibate
1Other words from celibate
- non·cel·i·bate, adjective
- un·cel·i·bate, adjective
Words that may be confused with celibate
Words Nearby celibate
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use celibate in a sentence
Harvard University’s chapter of Christian Union, called Harvard College Faith and Action, ignited controversy in 2018 for forcing a student leader to step down after finding out that she was in a celibate same-sex relationship.
Christian Union perpetuates culture of homophobia at elite universities | Caris White | February 28, 2022 | Washington BladeLater, he told me that, because he could not change his sexuality, he planned to stay celibate for life.
After a brief fling at age 40, he was celibate for the next 35 years.
Perspective-changing experiences, good or bad, can lead to richer lives | Sujata Gupta | September 1, 2021 | Science NewsHe was 35 at the time, a widely admired teacher and girls’ basketball coach who lived in a People of Praise home for celibate men.
‘People of Praise leaders failed me’: Christian group tied to Justice Amy Coney Barrett faces reckoning over sexual misconduct | Beth Reinhard, Alice Crites | June 11, 2021 | Washington PostWe can address these problems without all becoming celibate.
The biggest problem with capitalism? Not enough capitalists | jakemeth | November 21, 2020 | Fortune
Does he really think that telling gay Christians to be celibate is a good idea?
The Hateful Pastor All Too Happy to Be Left Behind When It Comes to Gays | Jay Michaelson | September 6, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIf married life is as boring and joyless as this document, I am glad I am celibate.
His great-uncle, who has never self-identified as gay but who Sam believes is, lives a celibate life committed to the Church.
I believe that you can choose to be celibate and that you can train people to be celibate.
Alex Gibney’s ‘Mea Maxima Culpa’: Sex, Lies, and the Catholic Church | Michael Moynihan | February 4, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd there have always been those who have remained celibate or had only one lifelong sexual partner.
I used to believe that there was benefit to health and increase of power, whether physical or mental, in the celibate life.
The Book of Life: Vol. I Mind and Body; Vol. II Love and Society | Upton SinclairThis glimmer of wonder and envy, the revelation of a life intensely celibate, was for an instant infinitely touching.
The Tragic Muse | Henry JamesAnd besides they tend to the extinction of the human species by reason of their monastic and celibate ideal.
A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy | Isaac HusikIt goes without saying that this remarkable man was a High Churchman and a celibate.
Witching Hill | E. W. Hornung"It would bring a little colour into one's life," said Eric, looking with disfavour at the grimly celibate sitting-room.
Lady Lilith | Stephen McKenna
British Dictionary definitions for celibate
/ (ˈsɛlɪbɪt) /
a person who is unmarried, esp one who has taken a religious vow of chastity
unmarried, esp by vow
abstaining from sexual intercourse
Origin of celibate
1Derived forms of celibate
- celibacy, 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
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