What does "celibate" mean?
One who is not married, especially one who has taken a religious vow not to get married, usually because of being a member of a religious community.
Celibate
/ˈsɛləbət/ adj, noun, verb
adj, noun, verb ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: One who is not married, especially one who has taken a religious vow not to get married, usually because of being a member of a religious community.
- Grammar: celibate is listed as adj, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: abbacomes, abbot, absolute, abstainer.
- Useful contrasts: hornier, libidinal, libidinous.
- Usage evidence: Being celibate means that you may only do it with other celibates.
How to use "celibate"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "celibate" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "celibate" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "celibate" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "celibate" is acting as adj, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 One who is not married, especially one who has taken a religious vow not to get married, usually because of being a member of a religious community. uncountable
"Even during the ages that priestly marriage was permitted, celibates obtained a higher reputation for sanctity and virtue than married priests, who infinitely more than celibates were believed subject to infestation by demons."
- 2 A celibate state; celibacy. obsolete, uncountable
"He […] preferreth holy Cœlibate before the eſtate of Marriage, […]"
- 3 an unmarried person who has taken a religious vow of chastity wordnet
Verb
- 1 To practice celibacy. intransitive, rare
"However, be that as it may, Stason celebrated with the boys while Hessel celibated alone."
Adjective
- 1 Not married. not-comparable
- 2 Abstaining from sexual relations and pleasures. broadly, not-comparable
"Members of religious communities sometimes take vows to remain celibate."
Adjective
- 1 abstaining from sexual intercourse wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"Being celibate means that you may only do it with other celibates."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "celibate"?
Common synonyms include: abbacomes, abbot, absolute, abstainer, abstemious, abstinence.
How do you use "celibate" in a sentence?
Being celibate means that you may only do it with other celibates.
How do you pronounce "celibate"?
Pronounced /ˈsɛləbət/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Probably from the noun (“celibacy”) or from celibacy on the model of privacy/private, etc. Alternatively, from Latin caelebs (“single”) + -ate.
Etymology 2
From Latin caelebs + -ate (noun-forming suffix)
Etymology 3
From Latin caelebs + -ate (verb-forming suffix)
Etymology 4
From French célibat (“celibacy”), from Latin caelibātus (“celibacy”), from caelebs (“unmarried”); compare German Zölibat (“celibacy”). Equivalent to Latin caelebs + -ate (forming nouns denoting a rank, a state)