celiac

1 of 2

adjective

ce·​li·​ac ˈsē-lē-ˌak 

variants or chiefly British coeliac

1

: of or relating to the abdominal cavity

2

: relating to or used for celiac disease

a celiac diet

celiac

2 of 2

noun

variants or chiefly British coeliac

plural celiacs

: a person affected with celiac disease

Many celiacs bounce from doctor to doctor for help with symptoms that stubbornly defy treatment.

—David P. Hamilton

Examples of celiac in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Global Collaboration One of the biggest challenges in the celiac community has been a lack of global coordination, Weisbrod explains. —Alex Backus, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025

But outside of folks with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, there’s no conclusive evidence that gluten consumption triggers inflammation. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 25 Apr. 2025

Noun

While 1 in 100 people worldwide have celiac, only about 30% are properly diagnosed. —Alex Backus, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025

That's a big deal for people with celiac, since a strict gluten-free diet is the only treatment. —Alex Backus, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin coeliacus, from Greek koiliakos, from koilia cavity, from koilos hollow — more at cave

First Known Use

Adjective

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1976, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing celiac

• celiac disease

Rhymes for celiac

• coeliac

Medical Definition

celiac

1 of 2 adjective

ce·​li·​ac

variants or chiefly British coeliac

ˈsē-lē-ˌak 

1

: of or relating to the abdominal cavity

2

: belonging to or prescribed for celiac disease

the celiac syndrome

a celiac diet

celiac

2 of 2 noun

variants or chiefly British coeliac

: a celiac part (as a nerve)