How to Pronounce Celibate

To pronounce "celibate", say CEL-ib-at-e — 4 syllables, IPA /ˈsɛləbət/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

celibate

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Accent

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4

Syllables

8

Letters

/ˈsɛləbət/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “celibate”

"celibate" has 4 syllables: cel-ib-at-e. It rhymes with celebate, if that helps it stick.

What does celibate mean?

noun

  1. One who is not married, especially one who has taken a religious vow not to get married, usually because of being a member of a religious community.
  2. A celibate state; celibacy.

verb

  1. To practice celibacy

adjective

  1. Not married.
  2. (by extension) Abstaining from sexual relations and pleasures.

    “Members of religious communities sometimes take vows to remain celibate.”

Synonyms

celvolcelabstinentchastepuresingleunmarried

Hear “celibate” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with celibate

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

celebate

Related words

chastecontinentunmarriedunwedsinglenoncelibateincelibatezerogamous

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "celibate"?▾

"Celibate" has 4 syllables: cel · ib · at · e.

What is the IPA transcription of "celibate"?▾

The IPA transcription of "celibate" is /ˈsɛləbət/.

What does "celibate" mean?▾

Celibate: One who is not married, especially one who has taken a religious vow not to get married, usually because of being a member of a religious community.

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