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chaste

adjective
\ ˈchāst How to pronounce chaste (audio) \
chaster; chastest

Definition of chaste

1 : innocent of unlawful sexual intercourse
2 : celibate Monks lead a chaste life.
3 : pure in thought and act : modest was sincerely trying to be chaste
4a : severely simple in design or execution : austere chaste classicism the pure, chaste lines of ancient Greek buildings
b : clean, spotless
Other Words from chaste Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about chaste

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Other Words from chaste

chastely adverb
chasteness \ ˈchās(t)-​nəs How to pronounce chasteness (audio) \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for chaste

chaste, pure, modest, decent mean free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious. chaste primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows. they maintained chaste relations pure differs from chaste in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions. the pure of heart modest and decent apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity. preferred more modest swimsuits decent people didn't go to such movies

Examples of chaste in a Sentence

a chaste kiss on the cheek as one would expect, the minister's small talk is always chaste, even though he likes a joke as much as the next person

Recent Examples on the Web

 Green Acres was the only show among them to feature a married couple, and single characters were involved in chaste, casual romances. — Sara K. Eskridge, Houston Chronicle, "Why Americans love Mayberry," 19 Aug. 2019 Cooley expected the players to be good little girls who still appealed to the male gaze — but only in an innocent and chaste way, which a mother never could. — Britni De La Cretaz, Longreads, "Flagrant Foul: Benching Teen Moms Before Title IX," 14 Aug. 2019 These bizarre animals are chaste survivors in a carnal world. — Quanta Magazine, "Ancient Survivors Could Redefine Sex," 19 Nov. 2014 Indeed, previous girl muses were chaste, inviting, and caught in amber. — Gabriella Fuller, ELLE Decor, "Photographer Hendrik Kerstens Is a Modern Day Dutch Master," 16 Oct. 2018 But Diane rescues him and reunites the innocents, thus allowing love into her chaste domain. — Heidi Waleson, WSJ, "French Opera Takes Over New York," 23 Apr. 2018 Too often, she is depicted in modern historical accounts as a bit dull: a chaste and bloodless widow, entombed in her own piety, devoted only to God. — Cammy Brothers, WSJ, "‘Renaissance Woman’ Review: A Lady of Letters," 27 Apr. 2018 Dandelions, lilacs, purple giant hyssop, chaste tree, mints, chervil or parsley, dill, etc., sport tiny flowers that contain nectar these insects can reach. — Margaret Lauterbach, idahostatesman, "Cool, rainy spring prompts alert for fire blight on Valley trees, plants | Idaho Statesman," 26 Apr. 2018 Kopechne was one of this group, and the film treats her with great respect and presents her relationship with Ted as chaste and above board. — Kenneth Turan, latimes.com, "'Chappaquiddick' is a murky exploration of an infamous political scandal," 5 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chaste.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of chaste

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for chaste

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin castus pure

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More Definitions for chaste

chaste

adjective
How to pronounce chaste (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of chaste

old-fashioned : not having sex
: morally pure or decent : not sinful
: simple or plain

See the full definition for chaste in the English Language Learners Dictionary

chaste

adjective
\ ˈchāst How to pronounce chaste (audio) \
chaster; chastest

Kids Definition of chaste

1 : pure in thought and act : modest
2 : simple or plain in design

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