First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1repent
verb re·pent \ri-ˈpent\
: to feel or show that you are sorry for something bad or wrong that you did and that you want to do what is right
Full Definition of REPENT
intransitive verb
1
: to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life
2
a : to feel regret or contrition b : to change one's mind
transitive verb
1
: to cause to feel regret or contrition
2
: to feel sorrow, regret, or contrition for
— re·pent·er noun
See repent defined for English-language learners
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Origin of REPENT
Middle English, from Anglo-French repentir, from Medieval Latin repoenitēre, from Latin re- + Late Latin poenitēre to feel regret, alteration of Latin paenitēre — more at penitent
Rhymes with REPENT
absent, accent, Advent, anent, ascent, assent, augment, besprent, cement, comment, consent, content, convent, descent, detent, dissent, docent, event, extent, ferment, foment, fragment, frequent, hell-bent, indent, intent, invent, lament, loment, low-rent, mordent, outspent, percent, pigment, portent, present, prevent, pup tent, quitrent, rack-rent, relent, resent, segment, Shymkent, Tashkent, torment, well-meant, wisent
2repent
adjective re·pent \ˈrē-pənt\
Definition of REPENT
Origin of REPENT
Latin repent-, repens, present participle of repere to creep — more at reptile
First Known Use: 1669
REPENTER Defined for Kids
repent
verb re·pent \ri-ˈpent\
re·pent·edre·pent·ing
Definition of REPENT for Kids
: to acknowledge regret for having done something wrong <“Repent. Say that you are sorry …” — Kate DiCamillo, The Tale of Despereaux>
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