# Kent

/ˈkɛnt/ (US) · /kˈɛnt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/kent
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. English county

noun · CEFR B1

a county in the southeast of England, known for its fruit trees and gardens.

For teachers: a maritime county in southeast England, often referred to as the 'Garden of England'.

- We spent the weekend visiting the white cliffs and castles in Kent.
- The agricultural heritage of Kent remains evident in the numerous oast houses and orchards that dot the landscape of the North Downs.

### 4. shepherd's staff

noun · CEFR C2 · Dialect

a long pole or staff used by a shepherd.

For teachers: a long pole or pike, specifically one used by shepherds or for leaping over ditches in certain regions.

- The shepherd leaned on his kent while watching the sheep in the valley.
- Traditional leaping-poles, sometimes called kents, were essential tools for navigating the marshy terrain of the local fens.

## Examples

- Don't be such a Kent and help me with this.
- He was acting like a total Kent at the party, so everyone eventually stopped talking to him.
- The comedian used the word Kent as a thinly veiled substitute for the stronger profanity, allowing him to bypass the venue's strict policy against vulgar language while still conveying his disdain.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.