What does chastity mean?
"Chastity" is a noun denoting the quality of being chaste — that is, abstaining from sexual activity, either entirely (as with monks and nuns who take vows of chastity) or within the bounds of marriage, in keeping with particular moral or religious codes. The word extends beyond physical behavior: it also describes purity and modesty of thought, speech, and intention, which is why literature often praises a character's "chastity of mind." Historically rooted in Christian ethics, where it ranks among the cardinal virtues alongside prudence, temperance, and justice, chastity carries formal, even archaic overtones today, appearing most often in discussions of religion, history, and classic texts. It is closely related to but distinct from celibacy, which refers specifically to an unmarried state. Common phrases include "a vow of chastity" and the famous though largely mythical "chastity belt." The word remains useful for precise discussion of sexual morality across eras.
nounThe state or practice of refraining from sexual activity, especially as a moral or religious obligation; more broadly, purity or modesty in conduct and intention.
- Abstinence from sexual activity outside marriage, or total abstention, regarded as a moral or religious virtue.
- Purity or modesty in thought, speech, and behavior generally.
"In medieval monasteries, vows of chastity bound monks and nuns to a life without marriage or sexual relations."
"She took a vow of chastity when she entered the convent at nineteen."
"The novel's heroine is praised less for her chastity than for her honesty and courage."
Rarely used; "chastity" is almost always treated as uncountable. A plural may occasionally appear in literary or philosophical writing referring to multiple instances or kinds of virtuous restraint.
"The treatise catalogued the chastities demanded of clergy and laity alike."
The medieval 'chastity belt' was largely a myth — most surviving examples are 19th-century fakes built as curiosities for museums.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of chastity
"Chastity" derives from the Latin "castitas," meaning purity or spotlessness, itself formed from "castus," meaning pure or morally upright. The word entered English through Old French during the Middle Ages, carrying its twin senses of sexual abstinence and moral purity. Its Latin root also gives us related English words such as "chaste," "chasten," "chastise," and "castigate," all originally conveying the idea of purifying or correcting what is impure or wayward.
Related word forms
How chastity is actually used
"Chastity" is a formal, somewhat old-fashioned word with strong religious and historical connotations; it appears frequently in discussions of monastic life, classical literature, and moral philosophy. In everyday modern speech it can sound archaic or judgmental, so writers often prefer terms like "celibacy," "abstinence," or "fidelity" depending on the precise meaning.
Easily confused with chastity
Celibacy specifically means abstaining from marriage and sexual relations (often by vow), while chastity is broader, covering sexual purity and modesty in conduct, including faithfulness within marriage.