"Femcel" is short for "feminine" and "celibate," and describes a woman who, for one reason or another, don't have sex. Does that sound like you?
Answer a few quick, confidential questions about your views on sex, and we'll tell you if you might be a femcel.
Questions Overview
- I want sex, but I don't have it.
- I don't want sex, and I don't have it.
- I want sex and I have it.
- I don't want sex, but I do have it.
- Within the past 24 hours.
- Within the past week.
- Within the past few months.
- More than 3 months ago.
- Yes. It's hard to connect with them.
- No, it doesn't bother me.
- Yes. People expect so much more from women.
- No. Things are just as tough, or tougher, for men.
- I'm not sure.
- Yes. It seems like other people have it much easier.
- Not really. I think my experience is pretty normal.
- I'm not sure.
- Women
- Men
- I'm not sure.
- No, I'm usually left unsatisfied.
- Sometimes it is, but those times are few and far between.
- Yes, I'm usually satisfied by sex.
- I haven't had sex, or this doesn't apply to me.
- Female
- Male
- Other, or I'd rather not say.
More Quizzes
Whatever the reason, you seem like a feminine person who doesn't have sex, which means you could call yourself a femcel, if the label feels right. Unlike other \"-cel\" labels, femcel doesn't carry such a negative connotation and, in many cases, is just a descriptive or even an empowering term.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Be-a-Feminist"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Live-a-Life-of-Celibacy"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Be a Feminist","id":479409,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Be-a-Feminist","relUrl":"\/Be-a-Feminist","image":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/49\/Create-Good-Study-Habits-for-Exams-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Create-Good-Study-Habits-for-Exams-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Be a Feminist"},{"title":"How to Be and Stay Celibate","id":32900,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Live-a-Life-of-Celibacy","relUrl":"\/Live-a-Life-of-Celibacy","image":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/60\/Live-a-Life-of-Celibacy-Step-15-Version-3.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Live-a-Life-of-Celibacy-Step-15-Version-3.jpg","alt":"How to Be and Stay Celibate"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""},{"number":2,"text":"You don't seem like a femcel!","meaning":"\"Femcel\" is short for \"feminine celibate.\" It applies to anyone who has a feminine gender identity and who, for one reason or another, doesn't have sex. Those reasons are diverse, and not always negative. Many women and femmes avoid sex for personal reasons. For example, some see sex as a power dynamic, and by not having sex, they take back their power. Other femmes just aren't interested in sex, and still others haven't found the right person just yet.
Based on your answers, though, you don't seem to quite fit the label right now. Maybe you don't see yourself as feminine, or maybe you have sex often enough that you don't consider yourself celibate.
Of course, that could change, and that's okay! Keep in mind that, unlike other \"-cel\" labels, femcel doesn't carry such a negative connotation and, in many cases, is just a descriptive or even an empowering term.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Be-a-Feminist"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Improve-Your-Sex-Life"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Be a Feminist","id":479409,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Be-a-Feminist","relUrl":"\/Be-a-Feminist","image":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/49\/Create-Good-Study-Habits-for-Exams-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Create-Good-Study-Habits-for-Exams-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Be a Feminist"},{"title":"18 Tips To Have a Better Sex Life","id":360273,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Improve-Your-Sex-Life","relUrl":"\/Improve-Your-Sex-Life","image":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e0\/Improve-Your-Sex-Life-Step-18-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Improve-Your-Sex-Life-Step-18-Version-2.jpg","alt":"18 Tips To Have a Better Sex Life"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""}]" class="quiz_results_data"/><\/picture>","alt":"Sexual Compatibility Test"},{"title":"How Sexual Am I Quiz","id":14402929,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Sex-Quiz","relUrl":"\/Sex-Quiz","image":"
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<\/picture>","alt":"What Are My Sex Values Quiz"}],"number":1},{"text":"Excitement","result":"Interesting! In that case, check out these quizzes:","next_quizzes":[{"title":"High School Sex Education Test","id":15029144,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Sex-Education-Test","relUrl":"\/Sex-Education-Test","image":"
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Femcel Meaning & Explanation
What is a femcel?
Femcel is a mashup of “feminine” and “celibate.” It’s used to describe a feminine person, especially a woman, who doesn’t have sex for one reason or another.
Where does femcel come from?
Femcel comes from the term “incel,” which means involuntarily celibate, and is used primarily to describe men who don’t have sex. The term is popular online in “manosphere” spaces, where men discuss issues surrounding masculinity, often in toxic ways. “Femcel” was coined as a feminine alternative, though it’s hard to say who first used it. That said, the idea is nothing new, and dates back to as early as 1915 in Walter M Gallichan’s book The Great Unmarried,
in which he talks about “involuntarily celibate women.”
Is femcel a negative term?
The term has negative origins, but recently it’s become neutral or even positive. While “incel” often has negative connotations (men often use it to complain about not getting sex from women), femcel is more often used to discuss women’s relationships to sex, oppression, and power. Many femcels use the term proudly.
Why are some people femcels? There are a variety of reasons someone might be a femcel. They might want sex but not have it, or they might purposefully abstain for their own safety or because of personal beliefs. More recently, many women are self-professed femcels as a way to protest gender inequality or sexual violence.
Want to learn more?
For more information about femcels, check out these articles: