If you describe a person or their behaviour as chaste, you mean that they do not have sex with anyone, or they only have sex with their husband or wife.
[old-fashioned]
He remained chaste.
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Something that is chaste is very simple in style, without very much decoration.
...chaste clothes.
More Synonyms of chaste
chaste in British English
(tʃeɪst)
adjective
1.
not having experienced sexual intercourse; virginal
2.
abstaining from sexual intercourse, esp that which is unlawful or immoral
3.
(of conduct, speech, etc) pure; decent; modest
4.
(of style or taste) free from embellishment; simple; restrained
Derived forms
chastely (ˈchastely)
adverb
chasteness (ˈchasteness)
noun
Word origin
C13: from Old French, from Latin castus pure; compare caste
chaste in American English
(tʃeɪst)
adjective
1.
not indulging in unlawful sexual activity; virtuous
2.
sexually abstinent; celibate
3.
pure, decent, or modest in nature, behavior, etc.
4.
restrained and simple in style; not ornate
SYNONYMY NOTE: chaste, virtuous, in this connection, imply moral excellence manifested by forbearance from acts orthoughts that do not accord with virginity or strict marital fidelity; , pure implies chastity through innocence and an absence of seductive influences ratherthan through self-restraint; , modest, decent are both applied to propriety in behavior, dress, bearing, or speech as exhibitingmorality or purity
OPPOSITES: immoral, lewd, wanton
Derived forms
chastely (ˈchastely)
adverb
chasteness (ˈchasteness)
noun
Word origin
OFr < L castus, pure, chaste: see UNRESOLVED CROSS REF
Examples of 'chaste' in a sentence
chaste
The memory remains with him for the rest of his chaste life.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He remained chaste his whole life.
Christianity Today (2000)
She certainly seems unlikely to add to the welfare statistics, having pledged to remain chaste until she marries.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
All these months I have remained chaste to honor you.
Kathleen E. Woodiwiss THE WOLF AND THE DOVE
1 (adjective)
Definition
(of conduct or speech) pure, decent, or modest
chaste thoughts
Synonyms
pure
pure and chaste thoughts
moral
The committee members are moral, competent people.
decent
The book's protagonist is portrayed as respectable and decent.
innocent
the innocent child
immaculate
her immaculate reputation
wholesome
It was all good, wholesome fun.
virtuous
a virtuous maiden
virginal
It is traditional for a bride to wear virginal white.
unsullied
the combined talents of intellect, experience and unsullied reputation
uncontaminated
vestal
undefiled
Few places remain undefiled by industrialization.
incorrupt
celibate
Opposites
dirty
,
corrupt
,
tainted
,
immoral
,
blemished
,
promiscuous
,
self-indulgent
,
wanton
,
unrestrained
,
unclean
,
impure
,
dishonourable
,
unchaste
2 (adjective)
Definition
simple in style
Beyond them she could see the dim, chaste interior of the room.
Synonyms
simple
simple pictures and diagrams
quiet
They dress in quiet colours.
elegant
The poem impressed me with its elegant simplicity.
modest
He's modest, as well as being a great player.
refined
His speech and manner are refined.
restrained
Her black suit was restrained and expensive.
austere
The church was austere and simple.
unaffected
this unaffected, charming couple
decorous
Additional synonyms
in the sense of austere
Definition
severely simple or plain
The church was austere and simple.
Synonyms
plain,
simple,
severe,
spare,
harsh,
stark,
bleak,
subdued,
economical,
Spartan,
unadorned,
unornamented,
bare-bones
in the sense of decent
Definition
conforming to conventions of sexual behaviour
The book's protagonist is portrayed as respectable and decent.
Synonyms
respectable,
nice,
pure,
proper,
modest,
polite,
chaste,
presentable,
decorous
in the sense of elegant
Definition
cleverly simple and clear
The poem impressed me with its elegant simplicity.