ENGLISH
REFERENCE

rent

n. · v. · adj.
US //ˈɹɛnt// UK //ɹˈɛnt// rent
  1. 1 payment for housing (n.)
    A2 Elementary Economics

    the money you pay regularly to live in a house or apartment that belongs to someone else.

    a regular payment made by a tenant to a landlord for the use of property or land.

    Example

    The rent for my apartment is due on the first day of every month.

    Example

    Skyrocketing property values in the city centre have forced many small business owners to struggle with monthly rent increases.
  2. 2 a rip or tear (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary

    a large hole or rip in a piece of cloth or other material.

    a large tear or opening in a garment or fabric; often used metaphorically for a division.

    Example

    He noticed a small rent in the sleeve of his expensive jacket.

    Example

    The sudden political scandal created a deep rent in the fabric of the party, leading to a permanent internal division.
Show 3 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 to pay to use something (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to pay money so that you can use something for a short time, like a car or a flat.

    to pay for the temporary use of a property, vehicle, or piece of equipment owned by another party.

    Example

    We decided to rent a car for our trip so we could see the countryside.

    Example

    The production company chose to rent high-end camera equipment rather than purchasing it outright for the three-week shoot.
    Pitfall
    I am renting my house to a nice family.
    I am renting out my house to a nice family.

    While 'rent' can mean both giving and receiving, using 'rent out' or 'let' makes it clear that you are the owner, not the tenant.

  2. 4 to be priced at (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to be available to use for a specific price.

    to be leased or let for a specific sum of money; used intransitively.

    Example

    Small apartments in this area usually rent for about one thousand dollars.

    Example

    Commercial spaces in the new development are expected to rent for significantly more than the current market average.
  3. 5 torn apart (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary Archaic

    torn or ripped into pieces.

    having been forcefully pulled apart or torn; the past participle of the verb 'rend'.

    Example

    The sails were rent by the strong winds during the storm.

    Example

    The silence of the valley was suddenly rent by a piercing cry that echoed off the canyon walls.
Etymology 1

From Middle English rent, rente, from Old French rente, from Early Medieval Latin rendita, from Late Latin rendere, from Latin reddere.

Etymology 2

See rend.

Word family
Idioms3 entries

© 2026 English Reference