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

An early storyline features what might be the laziest incel caricature ever committed to video. —Judy Berman, Time, 21 Jan. 2026

Infighting has broken out on the right following ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson interviewing white supremacist incel Nick Fuentes on his podcast. —Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 6 Nov. 2025

The argument that emerged suggested that Tyler, the Creator, in his early, highly offensive Odd Future work, cultivated a fan base of white incels who were inherently hostile to Black music. —Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025

Both samples found incels to be ethnically diverse as well, despite misconceptions portraying them in the media as white right-wingers. —Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 22 Sep. 2025

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