What does repentance mean?
Repentance is the act or state of regretting wrongdoing and resolving not to repeat it. It combines emotional recognition of a fault with a moral or behavioural change, making it more purposeful than regret alone. The word is especially prominent in religious teaching, where repentance means acknowledging sin, turning away from it, and seeking a renewed relationship with God. In secular contexts, it can describe a sincere response to a serious personal or professional failure. Repentance is also associated with humility: the person admitting fault does not merely explain or excuse the behaviour but accepts responsibility for it. The expression can be used of individuals, communities, or public figures, although claims of repentance may sometimes be judged according to whether conduct actually changes. The related forms help clarify the word's associations: repent is the verb, repentant describes someone who feels remorse, and penitence emphasizes sorrow for sin.
nounRegret or remorse for wrongdoing, together with a desire to turn away from it and change one's conduct. In religious contexts, it often means recognition of sin and a return to moral or spiritual life.
- Regret and remorse for wrongdoing, accompanied by a desire to reform.
- In religious usage, recognition of sin and the decision to turn one's life toward repentance and faith.
"His repentance was sincere, and the community welcomed his return."
"A moment of genuine repentance can change the direction of a life."
"The preacher called the congregation to repentance before the holy season began."
The plural is grammatically standard but rare; the word is usually used in the singular or in uncounted verbal constructions such as an act of repentance.
"The political leader's repeated repentances did little to restore public trust."
Repentance is the rare kind of apology that asks not merely to be forgiven but to become different.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does repentance come from?
Repentance entered English in the late medieval period through Old French, from Latin paenitentia, a noun formed from paenitere, meaning to feel regret or repent. The same Latin source underlies English forms such as penitent, penitence, and penitential, while repent developed as the corresponding verb. Over time, the word became closely associated with the Christian concept of turning from sin, although its basic meaning also extends to moral regret and reform.
Related word forms
How repentance is actually used
Repentance is a formal and morally serious noun. Religious and biblical contexts are its traditional settings, but modern usage also applies to secular mistakes. It is stronger and more specific than regret, and the plural repentances is uncommon.
Easily confused with repentance
Remorse primarily denotes intense regret or self-reproach, whereas repentance also commonly implies a willingness or intention to change one's behaviour.
Regret can describe any dissatisfaction with a past choice, while repentance specifically concerns wrongdoing, moral fault, or sin.