How to pronounce celibacy
Say it like SEL-uh-buh-see. Celibacy has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce celibacy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SEL
- uh
- buh
- see
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Celibacy pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- buhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- seeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of celibacy
American and British speakers say celibacy in essentially the same way: /ˈsɛləbəsi/ in the US and /ˈsɛləbəsi/ in the UK.
British respelling: SEL-uh-buh-see.
What does celibacy mean?
- Abstaining from marriage; the state of being unmarried.
- Abstinence from sexual relations.
Where does celibacy come from?
From Latin caelibātus (“celibacy, a single life”), from caelebs (“unmarried”).
Questions about saying celibacy
How do you pronounce celibacy?
Say SEL-uh-buh-see. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɛləbəsi/. In British English it is /ˈsɛləbəsi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in celibacy?
Celibacy has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEL). Broken into parts: SEL · uh · buh · see.
Do Americans and Brits say celibacy the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsɛləbəsi/ and the British form is /ˈsɛləbəsi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.