Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

penance

/ˈpɛn.əns/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.13 in modern English

Syllables
pen-ance
IPA
/ˈpɛn.əns/
11
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
2
Syllables
5
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A voluntary self-imposed punishment for a sinful act or wrongdoing. It may be intended to serve as reparation for the act.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

A sacrament in some Christian churches that involves penitence (remorse plus restitution via prayer).

Countable; Uncountable

noun

Any instrument of self-punishment.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

repentance

Countable; Obsolete; Uncountable

noun

pain; sorrow; suffering

Countable; Obsolete; Uncountable

verb

To impose penance; to punish.

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Middle English penaunce, from Anglo-Norman, from Old French peneance, from Latin paenitentia (“repentance, penitence”). Doublet of penitence.

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: *peh₁-, penaunce, -, peneance, paenitentia

Usage

Subject

Wiktionary places this term in Religion.

Inflected Forms

penances (plural) penances (present, singular) penancing (participle, present) penanced (participle, past) penanced (past)

Derived Forms

penanceless unpenanced

Frequently Paired Words

prayaschitta

Synonyms

castigate penalize amerce chasten chastise come down on correct fix someone's wagon have someone's guts for garters have someone's head have someone's hide give it to someone

Questions

How do you pronounce penance?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈpɛn.əns/.
What does penance mean?
A voluntary self-imposed punishment for a sinful act or wrongdoing. It may be intended to serve as reparation for the act.
Where does penance come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce penance

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “penance”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈpɛn.əns/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “penance”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “penance” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.