Celibate means choosing not to have sex, and sometimes also choosing not to marry, usually for personal, religious, or lifestyle reasons.

The core meaning

  • To be celibate is to abstain from sexual activity, either for a period of time or long term.
  • In many traditions, it also means remaining unmarried as part of that commitment (for example, some priests or nuns).

In simple terms: a celibate person decides not to have sex, and in some contexts also not to marry.

A bit of context

  • Historically, celibacy was often a religious vow: no marriage and no sex, taken as part of a spiritual life.
  • Today, people might choose celibacy for many reasons: personal values, health, healing after a breakup, or focusing on other parts of life.

How people use the word now

  • Some use “celibate” for lifelong choices (like religious vows).
  • Others use it for temporary choices, like “staying celibate until marriage” or “being celibate for a while to work on myself.”

If you’d like, I can also explain how celibacy is different from abstinence or asexuality.