celibate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, academic, religious, literary.
Quick answer
What does “celibate” mean?
Someone who abstains from marriage and/or sexual relations, often for religious reasons.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Someone who abstains from marriage and/or sexual relations, often for religious reasons.
The state of voluntarily abstaining from marriage and/or all sexual activity. Can also be used more loosely to describe someone who is currently unmarried or not sexually active, though this is a less strict usage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Slight preference in American English for 'celibate' to specify sexual abstinence, whereas British English may historically retain a stronger link to the 'unmarried' state, but this distinction is fading.
Connotations
Both share strong connotations of chastity, self-discipline, and often religious or spiritual commitment.
Frequency
Comparably low frequency in both dialects. More common in religious, academic (sociology, gender studies), or biographical contexts than in everyday conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “celibate” in a Sentence
to be celibateto remain celibateto live a celibate lifeto take a vow of celibacyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “celibate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He has chosen to celibate for a year following the end of his relationship. (Note: rare and debated usage, often considered non-standard or a back-formation).
American English
- The term is almost never used as a verb in standard American English.
adverb
British English
- He lived celibately in his remote cottage. (Extremely rare, almost never used).
American English
- She decided to live celibately until marriage. (Very rare and awkward; 'live in celibacy' is preferred).
adjective
British English
- Monks in the order are expected to remain celibate for life.
- She decided to lead a celibate lifestyle while focusing on her career.
American English
- The priest took a vow to be celibate.
- After his divorce, he was voluntarily celibate for several years.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, sociology, history, and gender studies to describe social or religious practices.
Everyday
Rare in casual chat. Might be used humorously or self-deprecatingly ("I've been celibate since my last relationship ended").
Technical
A specific term in Catholic canon law and other religious doctrines.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “celibate”
- Using 'celibate' to mean simply 'single' or 'unmarried' without the connotation of deliberate abstinence. Saying "He is a celibate" as a noun is correct but less common than the adjectival use ("He is celibate").
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Celibate' refers to a chosen ongoing state of abstaining from sexual activity (and often marriage). 'Virgin' specifically refers to someone who has never had sexual intercourse. A celibate person may or may not be a virgin.
While you might occasionally hear "to celibate," it is widely considered non-standard or a back-formation from 'celibacy.' The standard phrasing is 'to be celibate,' 'to practice celibacy,' or 'to remain celibate.'
No, while strongly associated with religious vows, individuals may choose celibacy for personal, philosophical, health, or professional reasons (e.g., to focus on a goal).
They are close synonyms. 'Celibate' typically describes the condition of not being married and/or sexually active. 'Chaste' emphasizes moral purity and abstention from unlawful or immoral sexual activity; a married person can be chaste (faithful), but would not be described as celibate.
Someone who abstains from marriage and/or sexual relations, often for religious reasons.
Celibate is usually formal, academic, religious, literary. in register.
Celibate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɛlɪbət/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɛləbət/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Take a vow of celibacy”
- “Lead a life of celibacy”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'CELIBATE' person living in a 'CELL' (like a monk's room), alone and committed to their vow.
Conceptual Metaphor
CELIBACY IS A VOW/PROMISE (a binding commitment), CELIBACY IS PURITY (a state of being uncontaminated), CELIBACY IS A PATH/JOURNEY (a chosen way of life).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate definition of 'celibate' in its primary sense?