incel
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incel
- /ˈɪn(ˌ)sɛl/
Rhymes with -ɪnsɛl
Where it comes from
Syllabic abbreviation of involuntary celibate. Coined by "Alana" in 1997 on an online forum (originally as invcel). Came to widespread usage in the mid-2010s, chiefly online, but now more widespread.
noun incels · invcel
-
"Involuntary celibacy": the state of being not sexually active despite wishing to be.
Similar: incelibacy, love-shyness, fuckstration, AFCdom, AFCness
-
Someone (especially a man) who desires a sexual relationship but considers themselves unable to attract a partner; (often specifically), a member of an online subculture of people who identify in this way, often adopting resentful or misogynistic attitudes towards women as a result.
Though, involuntary celibates (or incels) shouldn't try to rationalize a dateless season or pass off sexual awkwardness as virtue; […]
Opposite: volcel
Similar: AFC, blue-baller, incel, incelibate, involuntary celibate, love-shy, permavirgin, forever alone, TFLer · Opposite: volcel
adjective invcel
- Not having sexual relations despite wishing to. People who are 'incel' are often suspected as being gay. It's annoying.
Thesaurus
noun
Similar: AFC, blue-baller, incel, incelibate, involuntary celibate, love-shy, permavirgin, forever alone, TFLer · Opposite: volcel
Translations
Talk about this word "incel." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/incel. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. incel. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/incel "incel." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/incel.Cite this
@misc{incel_2026,
title = {incel},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/incel},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
