Penitent
/ˈpɛnɪtənt/
adjectivenounC1
Definition
Penitent describes someone who feels sorry for their mistakes or bad actions and wants to make up for them. When used as a noun, a penitent is a person who admits their wrong and feels regret. This word often appears in serious or religious contexts where people ask for forgiveness.
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See It in Action
Feeling or showing regret for wrongdoing (adjective)
- •She gave a penitent apology for breaking the vase.
- •The penitent thief asked for forgiveness before leaving.
- •After the argument, he looked penitent and said sorry.
A person who feels regret and asks for forgiveness (noun)
- •The priest listened to the penitent confessing his mistakes.
- •Many penitents come to church seeking forgiveness.
- •The penitent knelt quietly during the ceremony.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "penitent" like "sorry," but deeper—it means you not only feel sorry but also want to fix or change your behavior.
- ✓Picture a person bowing their head with a sad face, showing they understand they did wrong.
- ✓It's the feeling you get when you say "I'm sorry" and really mean it, hoping to be forgiven.
- ✓Sounds like "PEN-it-ent" → imagine someone holding a PEN, writing a letter to say sorry for their mistakes.
- ✓In stories, characters who are penitent often ask for forgiveness or try to do good after making a mistake.
- ✓NOT like "guilty" (which means feeling bad but not always wanting to change); penitent means feeling bad AND wanting to improve.
- ✓NOT like "apologetic" (which can be polite or casual); penitent is more serious and deep regret.
- ✓NOT like "remorse" (the feeling inside), penitent shows both feeling and action to show regret.
Try Other Words
- •Repentant: feeling sorry and wanting to change (Use when focusing on the wish to stop bad behavior)
- •Remorseful: feeling deep sadness for something wrong (Use when emphasizing strong emotional pain)
- •Contrite: very sorry and showing regret (Use when describing humble and sincere regret)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: from Latin "paenitens," present participle of "paenitere" meaning "to repent" or "to feel regret"
- •Etymology: comes from Latin, meaning to feel regret or sorrow for a mistake or sin
- •Historical development: used in English since the 14th century, often in religious contexts about confessing sins
- •Modern usage: used to describe serious regret in personal, moral, or religious situations
- •Key insight: It is more than just feeling bad; it includes a wish to make things right
Reflect & Connect
•Can someone be penitent without saying sorry out loud? How might they show it instead?
•How do different cultures show that a person is penitent or truly sorry?
Fill in the blanks
1.The penitent person showed ___ by confessing their mistake and asking for ___.
2.Feeling penitent often leads to a desire to ___ the wrong done.
3.Unlike feeling guilty, being penitent means you want to ___ your behavior.
4.In many religions, a penitent goes to a priest to ___ their sins.
5.The penitent looked ___ and spoke quietly during the apology.
6.When someone is penitent, they often express regret ___ and through their actions.
7.A person who is not penitent might say sorry but does not ___ to change.