Penance
/ˈpɛnəns/
Definitions
Voluntary self-punishment inflicted as an outward expression of repentance for sin or wrongdoing.
/ˈpɛnəns/
An act of self-punishment or atonement for wrongdoing.
He did penance for his crime by volunteering at the homeless shelter.
💡 Simply: Imagine you did something wrong, like breaking your sibling's favorite toy. Penance is like doing extra chores or giving up your allowance to make up for it and show you're sorry.
👶 For kids: When you do something bad and you have to do something good to show you're sorry.
More Examples
The monks engaged in a period of penance during Lent.
She performed a penance by fasting for a week.
How It's Used
"The priest assigned him penance for his sins."
"In the Middle Ages, penance was often a public and visible display of remorse."
"The protagonist performed acts of penance to atone for his mistakes."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
do penance
To perform an act of self-punishment or atonement.
"He decided to do penance by fasting for a day after breaking the promise."
From Old French *penance* (12th century), from Latin *paenitentia* ('repentance'), from *paenitere* ('to be sorry, repent').
Penance has long been a core element of religious practices and rituals. Historically, it was a means of demonstrating repentance and seeking forgiveness for wrongdoing within religious or moral codes.
Memory tip
Think of 'pen' as a tool for writing down your sins and then having to endure the consequences (the 'ance').
Word Origin
"repentance, regret"