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

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

People with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) experience abdominal pain, gas, bloating, and diarrhea after consuming gluten. —Jillian Kubala, Rd, Health, 11 Mar. 2025

Noun

Some people noticing benefits of going gluten-free could have undiagnosed celiac, given the overlap in symptoms. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 25 Apr. 2025

Her two daughters, Emily and Kate, were diagnosed with celiac as adolescents. —Matti Gellman, Kansas City Star, 19 Jan. 2024

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)