# penance

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈpɛn.əns/ · frequency rank #24,540

## Definitions
1. A voluntary self-imposed punishment for a sinful act or wrongdoing. It may be intended to serve as reparation for the act.
2. A sacrament in some Christian churches that involves penitence (remorse plus restitution via prayer).
3. Any instrument of self-punishment.
4. repentance
5. pain; sorrow; suffering

## Etymology
From Middle English penaunce, from Anglo-Norman, from Old French peneance, from Latin paenitentia (“repentance, penitence”). Doublet of penitence.

## Easily confused with
- **pence** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/penance-vs-pence)
- **Penang** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/penance-vs-penang)
- **Penzance** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/penance-vs-penzance)
- **peace** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peace-vs-penance)
- **Pearce** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pearce-vs-penance)

## Common misspellings (11)
`epnance`, `peannce`, `penacne`, `penancce`, `penanec`, `penannce`, `penence`, `pennace`, `pennance`, `pneance`, `ppenance`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-09-03.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/penance