Repent Meaning
/ɹɪˈpɛnt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo feel pain, sorrow, or regret for what one has done or omitted to do; the cause for repenting may be indicated with "of".
verbTo be sorry for sin as morally evil, and to seek forgiveness; to cease to practice sin and to love.
Sentence Examples
We never repent having eaten too little.
Marry in haste, repent at leisure.
The time will come when she will repent of it.
CEFR Practice Quiz
After cheating on the exam, the student felt a strong need to ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The priest urged the congregation to ____ their sins and seek forgiveness before the holy day.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English repenten, from Old French repentir, from Vulgar Latin *repaenitīre, from Late Latin paenitīre, from Classical Latin paenitēre. Compare Modern French repentir.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Luke 17:1–4:
"And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Jonah 3:10:
"If Aljunied decides to go that way (to vote for Workers' Party), well Aljunied has five years to live and repent."
— 2011 April 30, Lee Kuan Yew, as quoted, “Aljunied voters will regret choosing WP: MM Leel”, in Yahoo News:
"... Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Mark 1:14–15:
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Acts 2:38–40:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
After cheating on the exam, the student felt a strong need to ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The priest urged the congregation to ____ their sins and seek forgiveness before the holy day.