Penitence

C1 16+

Pronunciation: /ˈpɛnɪtəns/

Definitions of penitence

noun the action of feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentance

Example Sentences

A1 She showed penitence for her mistake by apologizing.

A2 The criminal expressed penitence for his actions during the trial.

B1 The priest advised him to perform acts of penitence to seek forgiveness.

B2 Her penitence was evident in the way she volunteered at the homeless shelter.

C1 His deep sense of penitence led him to dedicate his life to helping others.

C2 The artist's masterpiece was a reflection of his penitence for past mistakes.

Examples of penitence in a Sentence

formal After committing the crime, the criminal showed deep penitence for his actions.

informal She expressed her penitence by apologizing profusely to her friend.

slang He was full of penitence after getting caught cheating on the test.

figurative The artist's use of dark colors in the painting conveyed a sense of penitence and remorse.

Grammatical Forms of penitence

past tense

repented

plural

penitences

comparative

more penitent

superlative

most penitent

present tense

repents

future tense

will repent

perfect tense

has repented

continuous tense

is repenting

singular

penitence

positive degree

penitent

infinitive

to repent

gerund

repenting

participle

repenting

Origin and Evolution of penitence

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Latin
Story behind the word: The word 'penitence' originated from the Latin word 'paenitentia', which means repentance or regret.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'penitence' has evolved to encompass not just regret or repentance, but also the act of seeking forgiveness and making amends for one's wrongdoings.