What is “Celibate”?
Definition:
Celibate refers to a person who abstains from sexual activity and/or marriage, especially for religious or personal reasons.
In simple terms: A celibate is someone who chooses not to have sex or get married, often for spiritual or life reasons.
Pronunciation:
- IPA: /ˈsel.ɪ.bət/
- Spoken:SELL-ih-but
Grammatical Formation:
- Adjective: “He lives a celibate life.”
- Noun: “She is a celibate by choice.”
Synonyms:
chaste, abstinent, unmarried, pure, continent
Antonyms:
sexually active, promiscuous, married, indulgent
Related Terms:
- Celibacy – the state of being celibate
- Chastity – moralpurity or abstaining from sex
- Abstinence – choosing not to do something, like having sex
- Vow of celibacy – a formal promise to stay celibate
Common Collocations:
- celibate lifestyle
- celibate monk/priest
- lifelong celibate
- to remain celibate
- choose to be celibate
- celibate individual
Idiomatic Usage & Expressions:
- “Remain celibate” – to continue living without sex or marriage
Example: “He decided to remain celibate to focus on his spiritual path.” - “Take a vow of celibacy” – to formally promise to be celibate
Example: “Many religious leaders take a vow of celibacy.” - “Lifelong celibate” – a person who never marries or engages in sex throughout life
Example: “The monk was a lifelong celibate.”
Sample Sentences:
- “She became celibate after joining a religious order.”
- “Not everyone who is single is celibate.”
- “The priest chose to remain celibate for his entire life.”
- “Some people are celibate by faith, others by personal decision.”
- “Being celibate helped him concentrate on his studies and inner peace.”
Summary:
The word celibate describes a person who abstains from sexual activity, usually by choice or as part of a religious vow. It can be used as both a noun and an adjective. Understanding this word helps when discussing spiritual practices, personal values, or different lifestyles, especially in religious or philosophical contexts.