Word
penance
US/ˈpɛnəns/
UK/pˈɛnəns/
Definitions
01self-punishment for wrongdoing
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. something you do to show you are sorry for a mistake or a bad action.
n. a voluntary self-imposed punishment or act of reparation for a sinful act or wrongdoing.
“He worked at the homeless shelter for a month as penance for his rude behavior.”
“The disgraced executive performed a public penance by donating his entire bonus to the charities he had previously defrauded.”
Usage
Often used with the verb 'do' or 'perform'.
Synonyms
02religious sacrament
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Religion Formal · Technical
n. a religious ceremony where you admit your sins and ask for forgiveness.
n. a sacrament in certain Christian denominations involving contrition, confession to a priest, and the performance of assigned acts of devotion.
“The priest told him to say ten prayers as his penance after confession.”
“In many liturgical traditions, the sacrament of penance is considered essential for the restoration of grace after a serious transgression.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the sacrament itself; countable when referring to the specific task assigned.
Synonyms
03to punish
C2 · Proficiency Archaic · Formal
v. to give someone a punishment to make them show they are sorry.
v. to impose a penance upon someone; to subject an individual to a task intended to show repentance.
“The monk was penanced with a week of silence for breaking the rules.”
“The historical records show that the bishop penanced the knight by ordering him to walk barefoot to the cathedral.”
Usage
Usually occurs in the passive voice.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Accustomed to fasting as a form of penance and purification, he came to believe that hunger strikes could also be an effective method of political struggle.” Etymology
From Middle English penaunce, from Anglo-Norman, from Old French peneance, from Latin paenitentia (“repentance, penitence”). Doublet of penitence.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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