Incel
Stable🌍Universal🔶Incel community originDefinition
Short for 'involuntary celibate.' Originally an online subculture of people (mostly men) who define themselves by their inability to find romantic partners. Now widely used as a casual insult or joke among teens ('bro you're such an incel') to roast someone who's being awkward, bitter, or antisocial. The actual incel community has a documented history of radicalization.
Dad Mode: You Should Probably Talk to Them
Here's the thing: most kids throwing this word around are just roasting their friends. 'You're such an incel' is the 2020s version of 'you're such a loser.' It's a casual insult, not a manifesto. The word went mainstream and lost a lot of its edge in everyday teen conversation. BUT. If your kid is using this as a self-identifier, spending time in incel forums, or expressing genuine resentment about dating and women, that's a completely different situation and worth a real conversation. The distinction is everything: calling your friend an incel because he struck out at the dance is normal teen roasting. Calling yourself an incel because you believe the world is rigged against you is a red flag.
Came from: Originally coined by a Canadian woman in 1993, co-opted by online extremist communities (2010s)
Examples
“Bro stop being such an incel lmao”
“Stop being so bitter/awkward about girls, it's embarrassing”
“He's giving incel vibes fr”
“He's acting resentful and creepy about relationships”
Cringe Score
Please don't
As a casual insult between friends ('you're such an incel bro'), it's just modern trash talk. As a self-identifier? Different conversation entirely.
Category
insult
Last Verified
2026-02-25
Sources
editorial