The difference between Abstinent and Celibate

When used as nouns, abstinent means one who abstains, whereas celibate means 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.

When used as adjectives, abstinent means refraining from indulgence, especially from the indulgence of appetite, whereas celibate means not married.


Celibate is also verb with the meaning: to practice celibacy.

check bellow for the other definitions of Abstinent and Celibate

  1. Abstinent as an adjective:

    Refraining from indulgence, especially from the indulgence of appetite.

    Examples:

    "synonyms: abstemious continent temperate"

    "rfquotek Beaumont and Fletcher"

  1. Abstinent as a noun:

    One who abstains; a faster.

  2. Abstinent as a noun (usually, capitalized, religion, historical):

    One of a sect who appeared in France and Spain in the 3rd century, and believed in abstinence towards meat and sex.

  1. Celibate as an adjective:

    Not married.

  2. Celibate as an adjective (by extension):

    Abstaining from sexual relations and pleasures.

    Examples:

    "Members of religious communities sometimes take vows to remain celibate."

  1. Celibate as a noun:

    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. Celibate as a noun (obsolete):

    A celibate state; celibacy.

  1. Celibate as a verb (rare):

    To practice celibacy