celibate

[ sel-uh-bit, -beyt ]

noun

1. a person who abstains from sexual relations.
2. a person who remains unmarried, especially for religious reasons.

adjective

1. observing or pertaining to sexual abstention or a religious vow not to marry.
2. not married.

celibate

/ ˈsɛlɪbɪt /

noun

1. a person who is unmarried, esp one who has taken a religious vow of chastity

adjective

1. unmarried, esp by vow
2. abstaining from sexual intercourse

Derived Forms

• ˈcelibacy, noun

Other Words From

• non·celi·bate adjective
• un·celi·bate adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of celibate¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin caelib- (stem of caelebs ) “unmarried” + -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of celibate¹

C17: from Latin caelibātus, from caelebs unmarried, of obscure origin

Related Words

• chaste