Chastity is the state of not having sex with anyone, or of only having sex with your husband or wife.
[old-fashioned]
He took a vow of chastity and celibacy.
Synonyms: purity, virtue, innocence, modesty More Synonyms of chastity
chastity in British English
(ˈtʃæstɪtɪ)
noun
1.
the state of being chaste; purity
2.
abstention from sexual intercourse; virginity or celibacy
a vow of chastity
Word origin
C13: from Old French chasteté, from Latin castitās, from castuschaste
chastity in American English
(ˈtʃæstəti)
noun
the quality or state of being chaste
; specif.,
a.
virtuousness
b.
sexual abstinence; celibacy
c.
decency or modesty
d.
simplicity of style
Word origin
ME chastite < OFr chastete < L castitas: see chaste
Examples of 'chastity' in a sentence
chastity
The monks also take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There is evidently something about a life of poverty and chastity that appeals.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This mask is as barbaric as the chastity belt.
The Sun (2013)
The second is a highly effective silk chastity belt.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It is like a chastity belt in alloy wheels.
The Sun (2007)
Then they would take their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Claudia Hammond EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER: A Journey Through the Science of Feelings (2005)
They took vows of chastity, poverty and obedience but ended up extraordinarily rich.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Or maybe the concept of a glass ceiling is as old-fashioned as a chastity belt.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
But don't say yes to a chastity belt.
The Sun (2009)
But still it all feels a bit unnecessary, like opting to wear a chastity belt or eat spam.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We agreed I can remove the chastity belt once a month.
The Sun (2016)
A cumbersome, antique chastity belt perhaps?
The Sun (2008)
They have taken vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
Christianity Today (2000)
I HAVE been wearing a chastity belt as a way of coping with my frustration.
The Sun (2016)
Quotations
Give me chastity and continence, but not just nowSt. Augustine of HippoConfessions
The essence of chastity is not the suppression of lust, but the total orientation of one's life towards a goalDietrich BonhoefferLetters and Papers from Prison
'Tis chastity, my brother, chastity; She that has that, is clad in complete steelJohn MiltonComus
(noun)
I took a vow of chastity and celibacy when I became a priest.
Synonyms
purity
The American Female Reform Society promoted sexual purity.
virtue
His many attempts on her virtue were all unavailing.
innocence
She can still evoke the innocence of 14-year-old Juliet.
modesty
virginity
She lost her virginity when she was 20.
celibacy
priests who take a vow of celibacy for life
continence
Everyone displays emotional continence but strong feelings swirl beneath the surface.
maidenhood
Opposites
promiscuity
,
immorality
,
profligacy
,
debauchery
,
licentiousness
,
lewdness
,
wantonness
Quotations
Give me chastity and continence, but not just now [St. Augustine of Hippo – Confessions]The essence of chastity is not the suppression of lust, but the total orientation of one's life towards a goal [Dietrich Bonhoeffer – Letters and Papers from Prison]'Tis chastity, my brother, chastity; She that has that, is clad in complete steel [John Milton – Comus]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of celibacy
priests who take a vow of celibacy for life
Synonyms
chastity,
purity,
virginity,
continence,
singleness
in the sense of continence
Everyone displays emotional continence but strong feelings swirl beneath the surface.
Synonyms
self-restraint,
moderation,
self-control,
celibacy,
abstinence,
chastity,
temperance,
asceticism
in the sense of innocence
She can still evoke the innocence of 14-year-old Juliet.