How to pronounce celibate
Say it like SEL-ih-but. Celibate has three 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 celibate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SEL
- ih
- but
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Celibate 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.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- butKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of celibate
American and British speakers say celibate in essentially the same way: /ˈsɛlɪbət/ in the US and /ˈsɛlɪbət/ in the UK.
British respelling: SEL-ih-but.
What does celibate mean?
- Not married.
- Abstaining from sexual relations and pleasures.“Members of religious communities sometimes take vows to remain 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.
- To practice celibacy.
Where does celibate come from?
Probably from the noun (“celibacy”) or from celibacy on the model of privacy/private, etc.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying celibate
How do you pronounce celibate?
Say SEL-ih-but. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɛlɪbət/. In British English it is /ˈsɛlɪbət/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in celibate?
Celibate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEL). Broken into parts: SEL · ih · but.
Do Americans and Brits say celibate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsɛlɪbət/ and the British form is /ˈsɛlɪbət/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.