# lenient

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈliːni.ənt/ · frequency rank #24,495

## Definitions
1. Lax; not strict; tolerant of dissent or deviation.

## Etymology
From Middle French lénient, from Latin lēniēns, present participle of lēnīre (“to soften, soothe”), from lēnis (“soft”).

## Easily confused with
- **Lenin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lenient-vs-lenin)
- **leniency** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/leniency-vs-lenient)

## Common misspellings (10)
`elnient`, `leinent`, `leneint`, `leniennt`, `lenientt`, `lenietn`, `leninet`, `lennient`, `llenient`, `lneient`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/lenient