/ˈɪnˌsɛl/
OriginBlend of involuntary + celibate. Coined by "Alana" in 1997 on an online forum (originally as invcel). Came to widespread usage in the mid-2010s, chiefly online, but now more widespread.
- countable, uncountableA member of an online subculture of people (mostly men) who define themselves as unable to find a romantic or sexual partner despite desiring one.
“Though, involuntary celibates (or incels) shouldn't try to rationalize a dateless season or pass off sexual awkwardness as virtue; […]”
“It is not clear when the term incels was coined, but the link between misogyny and violence against women has emerged on sites where incel communities gather.”
“The incel ideology has already inspired the murders of at least sixteen people. Elliot Rodger, in 2014, in Isla Vista, California, killed six and injured fourteen in an attempt to instigate a “War on ”
- countable, uncountableAn individual who is not sexually active despite having such a desire.
“Another study by Donnelly of seventy-seven incels in marriages or long-term relationships in the Journal of Marriage and Family used a web-based questionnaire to ask people why they stayed in their se”
- informal, uncountable"Involuntary celibacy": the state of being not sexually active despite wishing to be.
- not-comparableNot having sexual relations despite wishing to.
“People who are 'incel' are often suspected as being gay. It's annoying.”
Formsincels(plural)