penitent: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Literary / Religious
Quick answer
What does “penitent” mean?
Feeling or expressing sincere sorrow and regret for having done wrong.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Feeling or expressing sincere sorrow and regret for having done wrong.
A person who is sorry for their sins and seeks forgiveness, especially in a religious or formal context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The noun form might be slightly more common in formal/religious British contexts.
Connotations
Connotations are identical, strongly linked to formal apology, confession, and religious rites.
Frequency
Low-frequency in both varieties, used more in formal writing, theological discourse, and literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “penitent” in a Sentence
be penitent about [something]feel penitent for [something]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “penitent” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Rare as verb; 'repent' is used.)
American English
- (Rare as verb; 'repent' is used.)
adverb
British English
- (Rare. 'Penitently' is the form.) 'He bowed his head penitently.'
American English
- (Rare. 'Penitently' is the form.) 'She nodded penitently, accepting the blame.'
adjective
British English
- He wrote a penitent letter to the court, expressing his profound regret.
- She felt genuinely penitent for her harsh words.
American English
- The politician's penitent tone did little to appease his angry constituents.
- He was penitent about missing his daughter's graduation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in formal apologies: 'The CEO was penitent about the company's failure to meet safety standards.'
Academic
Used in theological, historical, or literary studies discussing concepts of sin and forgiveness.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation. 'Sorry' or 'I regret it' are used instead.
Technical
Primarily a theological/religious term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “penitent”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “penitent”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “penitent”
- Using it as a direct synonym for 'sad' or 'disappointed' without the element of personal fault and desire for atonement.
- Misspelling as 'penitent' (correct) vs. 'penitant' (incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's a low-frequency, formal word primarily used in religious, legal, or literary contexts.
They are very close synonyms. 'Penitent' often emphasises the sorrowful feeling, while 'repentant' can slightly emphasise the intention to change behavior, but they are largely interchangeable.
Yes. As a noun, it specifically refers to a person who confesses sin or wrongdoing, especially to a priest (e.g., 'The priest listened to the penitent').
The related noun for the state of being penitent is 'penitence'. The act performed to show penitence is 'penance'.
Feeling or expressing sincere sorrow and regret for having done wrong.
Penitent is usually formal / literary / religious in register.
Penitent: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɛnɪt(ə)nt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɛnɪtənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “wear a penitent expression”
- “a penitent heart”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of PENITENTIARY (prison) – a place where people are sent to pay for their crimes, often hoping to become PENITENT.
Conceptual Metaphor
SIN IS A DEBT / WRONGDOING IS A BURDEN (a penitent person seeks to pay the debt or lift the burden).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely context for the word 'penitent'?