verb
Uncommon
penned
pehnd
Penned (verb) means Wrote or composed something, especially using a pen; past tense of "pen". Example: “She penned a heartfelt letter to her old friend.”
verb
1
Wrote or composed something, especially using a pen; past tense of "pen".
"She penned a heartfelt letter to her old friend."
"The songwriter penned three hit singles that year."
2
Shut an animal into an enclosure; past tense of "pen" (the enclosure sense).
"The farmer penned the sheep before the storm hit."
adj
1
Having wings or plumage; winged (a rare, mostly literary use).
"The poem describes penned creatures soaring above the clouds."
How to use penned
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually just means "wrote" (as in penned a novel) or "shut in a pen" (as in penned the cattle) — context tells you which.
Common pairings
penned a letter
penned an article
penned in
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She _____ a heartfelt letter to her old friend.
Frequently asked questions
What does “penned” mean?
The word “penned” means wrote or composed something, especially using a pen; past tense of "pen". In plain terms, usually just means "wrote" (as in penned a novel) or "shut in a pen" (as in penned the cattle) — context tells you which.
How do you pronounce “penned”?
“Penned” is pronounced pehnd (/pɛnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “penned” in a sentence?
Here is “penned” used in a sentence: “She penned a heartfelt letter to her old friend.”
What part of speech is “penned”?
Depending on how it is used, “penned” can be a verb and an adjective.
Is “penned” a common word?
“Penned” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “penned” have?
“Penned” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: wrote or composed something, especially using a pen; past tense of "pen".
