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Definition of incel

incel

/ˈɪn.sɛl/
in · cel
Plural:incels
•
Adjective:incel
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incel Lexical Profile

incel Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A member of an online subculture of people (typically young heterosexual men) who define themselves as unable to find a romantic or sexual partner despite desiring one, often characterized by resentment and hostility toward women.

Example

"The documentary examined how isolated young men are recruited into online communities as incels."

• adjective

1

Relating to, characteristic of, or associated with incels or their online subculture and ideology.

Example

"Sociologists have increasingly studied the spread of incel rhetoric across mainstream social media platforms."

Word Nuance & Usage

Originally coined in the late 1990s as an inclusive term for lonely individuals of any gender, 'incel' is now used almost exclusively in a pejorative or sociological sense to describe members of hostile, misogynistic online subcultures.

• Nearby Words

incautious
incautiously
incautiousness
incel
incendiary
incense
incense cedar

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in 1997 by a Canadian university student known as Alana as 'invcel', a portmanteau of 'involuntary celibate', before being shortened to 'incel' for an online support forum.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Incel. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/incel
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