celiac

1 of 2

adjective

ce·​li·​ac ˈsē-lē-ˌak 

variants or chiefly British coeliac

1

: of or relating to the abdominal cavity

2

: relating to or used for celiac disease

a celiac diet

celiac

2 of 2

noun

variants or chiefly British coeliac

plural celiacs

: a person affected with celiac disease

Many celiacs bounce from doctor to doctor for help with symptoms that stubbornly defy treatment.

—David P. Hamilton

Examples of celiac in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

People With Inflammatory Conditions Other than celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity, scientists have theorized that a gluten-free diet may benefit people with certain inflammatory conditions. —Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 21 Feb. 2025

The mixed emotions around being celiac can hit often, especially at meal times. —Tanyel Mustafa, refinery29.com, 9 Jan. 2024

Noun

Her two daughters, Emily and Kate, were diagnosed with celiac as adolescents. —Matti Gellman, Kansas City Star, 19 Jan. 2024

Read on to discover 15 gluten-free gifts perfect for your friend with celiac, your cousin with a gluten intolerance, and everyone in between. —Kate Kassin, Bon Appétit, 29 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin coeliacus, from Greek koiliakos, from koilia cavity, from koilos hollow — more at cave

First Known Use

Adjective

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1976, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing celiac

• celiac disease

Rhymes for celiac

• coeliac

Medical Definition

celiac

1 of 2 adjective

ce·​li·​ac

variants or chiefly British coeliac

ˈsē-lē-ˌak 

1

: of or relating to the abdominal cavity

2

: belonging to or prescribed for celiac disease

the celiac syndrome

a celiac diet

celiac

2 of 2 noun

variants or chiefly British coeliac

: a celiac part (as a nerve)