# celibate

/ˈsɛɫɪbət/ (US) · /sˈɛlɪbˌeɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/celibate
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. abstaining from sex

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

choosing not to have sex or get married, usually because of a religious promise.

For teachers: abstaining from sexual relations and marriage, often as a result of a religious vow.

- The priest took a vow to remain celibate for the rest of his life.
- Although he was not a member of any formal order, he chose to lead a celibate life to focus entirely on his spiritual practice.

Usage: Usually describes a person or their lifestyle.

Teaching tip: Learners should distinguish this from 'single'; celibacy implies a deliberate choice or vow rather than just being unmarried.

### 2. a person who is celibate

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

a person who does not have sex or get married.

For teachers: an individual who practices celibacy, especially one who has taken religious vows.

- He lived as a celibate in a small house near the monastery.
- The community was composed entirely of celibates who had dedicated their lives to quiet contemplation and scholarship.

Usage: Used as a countable noun to refer to the person.

Teaching tip: The noun form is less common in modern speech than the adjective form.

### 3. the state of celibacy

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

the state of being unmarried or not having sex.

For teachers: the state of being unmarried or abstaining from sexual relations.

- In the past, many people believed that celibate was a higher way of living.
- The ancient text discusses the virtues of celibate as a path to enlightenment.

Usage: Used as an uncountable noun; almost entirely replaced by 'celibacy' in modern English.

Teaching tip: This sense is found in historical or religious texts; modern speakers use 'celibacy' for the state and 'celibate' for the person.

## Examples

- The monk lived as a celibate for many years.
- While some view the life of a celibate as one of isolation, many find it to be a path of profound spiritual discipline and community service.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.