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noun

celibacy

SEH-luh-buh-see

Celibacy (noun) means the state of not marrying, often for religious reasons. Example: “Catholic priests take a vow of celibacy.”

noun
1
The state of not marrying, often for religious reasons.
"Catholic priests take a vow of celibacy."
2
Abstaining from sexual activity.
"He chose a period of celibacy after the relationship ended."

How to Use Celibacy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishChoosing not to marry or not to have sex, often as a deliberate, sometimes religious, commitment.

Common pairings
a vow of celibacy practice celibacy lifelong celibacy

Word Forms

celibacies plural

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Catholic priests take a vow of _____.

Etymology

From Latin caelibatus, "the single state," from caelebs, "unmarried."

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for celibacy

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “celibacy” mean?

The word “celibacy” means the state of not marrying, often for religious reasons. In plain terms, choosing not to marry or not to have sex, often as a deliberate, sometimes religious, commitment.

How do you pronounce “celibacy”?

“Celibacy” is pronounced SEH-luh-buh-see (/ˈsɛləbəsi/ in IPA).

How do you use “celibacy” in a sentence?

Here is “celibacy” used in a sentence: “Catholic priests take a vow of celibacy.”

What is another word for “celibacy”?

Words with a similar meaning to “celibacy” include sexlessness.

What part of speech is “celibacy”?

“Celibacy” is a noun.

Where does the word “celibacy” come from?

The word “celibacy” comes from Latin. From Latin caelibatus, "the single state," from caelebs, "unmarried.".

How many meanings does “celibacy” have?

“Celibacy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the state of not marrying, often for religious reasons.

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