of, relating to, or suitable for Lent.
suggesting Lent, as in austerity, frugality, or rigorousness; meager.
(often capital) of or relating to Lent
archaic spare, plain, or meagre
lenten fare
archaic cold, austere, or sombre
a lenten lover
First recorded before 900; Middle English lente(n) “spring, springtime, Lent,” noun use of Old English noun and adjective lengten, læncgten, lencten “spring, springtime, Lent; of springtime, Lenten”; later taken as an adjective ending in -en; see origin at Lent, -en 2
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In the seventh century, the Catholic Church enforced strict Lenten rules, prohibiting the consumption of all meat, dairy, and eggs throughout the fasting season.
From Salon • Apr. 28, 2026
There’s something valuable in the Christian practice of letting people determine their Lenten sacrifices.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026
Last week, Francis coughed repeatedly during Ash Wednesday services that he presided over at a Roman church, and opted not to participate in the traditional procession that inaugurates the church’s Lenten season.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 28, 2024
It also marks the beginning of the penitential Lenten season.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2024
The nun’s face was blanched out like Lenten candlewax.
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
