Repent

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɹɪˈpÉ›nt/
• Rhymes: -É›nt

From French repentir, from re- + a late derivative of Latin poenitere ("be penitent"), alteration of Latin paenitere.

Full definition of repent

Verb

1. (intransitive) To feel pain, sorrow, or regret for what one has done or omitted to do; the cause for repenting may be indicated with "of".
• Authorized Version|Jonah|3|10And 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.
2. (theology, intransitive) To be sorry for sin as morally evil, and to seek forgiveness; to cease to practice sin and to love.If you're a true Muslim, you should repent to Allah.
• Authorized Version|Luke|13|3I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
3. (transitive) To feel pain on account of; to remember with sorrow.
4. (transitive) To be sorry for, to regret.I repent my sins.
5. (archaic, transitive) To cause to have sorrow or regret.
• 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book VII:at that time she wolde nat, she seyde, for she was syke and myght nat ryde. "That me repentith," seyde the kynge ....
• Authorized Version|Genesis|6|6And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
6. (obsolete, reflexive) To cause (oneself) to feel pain or regret.

Synonyms

• afterthink
• regret

Derived terms

• marry in haste, repent at leisure

Related terms

• penance
• repentance
• repentant
• penitence
• penitent
• unrepentable

From Latin rēpō ("I creep").

Adjective

1. (chiefly botany) Creeping along the ground.

Synonyms

• reptant