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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- celibacies
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Catholic priests take a vow of _____.
Etymology
From Latin caelibatus, "the single state," from caelebs, "unmarried."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for celibacy
See all rhymes for celibacy →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.
