incel

noun

in·​cel ˈin-ˌsel 

plural incels

: a person (usually a man) who is or identifies as involuntarily celibate and typically expresses extreme resentment and hostility toward those who are sexually active

Examples of incel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is the concept that forms the bedrock of the destructive incel ideology. —David Faris, TheWeek, 8 Apr. 2026

The men of this world tend to fall into two categories: matinee idols who are secret serial killers or duds, and frustrated virgins (bordering on incels) who miss the plot and catch a knife to the skull. —Matt Donnelly, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026

Train on the Island operates at both extremes, as the New Zealand singer-songwriter wades through a mire of childhood memories, incels, and encounters with John Cale. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 Mar. 2026

And by that point, only the people who were die-hards (as well as Trump fans and incels, perhaps?) could stand by him. —Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

involuntary celibate

Note: The word incel apparently first appeared on a Usenet newsgroup in the late 1990's. See the article by Ben Zimmer, "How 'Incel' Got Hijacked," published online at Politico Magazine, May 8, 2018 (https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/05/08/intel-involuntary-celibate-movement-218324/).

First Known Use

1999, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for incel

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel