penitence
Americannoun
Related Words
See regret.
Etymology
Origin of penitence
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English (from Old French ) from Medieval Latin pēnitentia, Latin paenitentia “a regretting, repentance.” See penitent, -ence
Explanation
Everyone makes mistakes, but not everyone feels bad about it afterward, and if you’re someone who has regretted something you did, that sorrowful feeling was penitence. Penitence shares the same Latin root as the verb repent, which means “to express regret.” It’s also connected to the word penitentiary, another word for prison. Sometimes penitence is so painful you might think you deserve to be in prison. The good news is that unless you committed a serious crime, you can probably apologize and that display of penitence is usually enough for forgiveness. Be careful: although the last half sounds like tense, it’s actually spelled with a c.
Vocabulary lists containing penitence
The Crucible
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"The Crucible" -- Vocabulary from all 4 Acts
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A Christmas Carol
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
What I’ve learned from them during this shared season of penitence has strengthened my conviction that non-Muslims need to learn about Islam and get beyond the stereotypes and misconceptions of both the left and right.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026
As with an estimated 10 million other Mexicans who will make their way to the basilica this month, their journey had been an act of faith, of penitence, and of thanks.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2025
"This Christmas, God's Church itself needs to come again to the manger and strip off her finery and kneel in penitence and adoration. And be changed," he said.
From BBC • Dec. 25, 2024
It would be nice if these men would reflect on how they lost their way, but the good news is that we don't need their penitence.
From Salon • Sep. 6, 2023
Lent is the season of penitence, the time of grief one must undergo before the joy of Easter comes.
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
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.
