adj
pent
pehnt
Pent (adj) means Shut up or confined, as if enclosed in a small pen; held back and unable to be expressed freely. Example: “Years of pent frustration finally spilled out during the argument.”
adj
1
Shut up or confined, as if enclosed in a small pen; held back and unable to be expressed freely.
"Years of pent frustration finally spilled out during the argument."
"The dog paced the yard, clearly pent and restless."
noun
1
A state of being confined or held back; concealment.
"The prisoner's long pent left him desperate for open space."
How to use pent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAlmost always seen today in the compound "pent-up", describing emotions or energy that have been held in and not released.
Common mistake
On its own "pent" is rare in modern English; most readers will only recognize it as part of "pent-up".
Common pairings
pent-up anger
pent-up energy
pent-up demand
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Word forms
- Plural
- pents
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Years of _____ frustration finally spilled out during the argument.
Etymology
From "pen" (to enclose) plus the old past-tense ending "-t", the same pattern seen in words like "bent" from "bend".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for pent
See all rhymes for pent →Frequently asked questions
What does “pent” mean?
The word “pent” means shut up or confined, as if enclosed in a small pen; held back and unable to be expressed freely. In plain terms, almost always seen today in the compound "pent-up", describing emotions or energy that have been held in and not released.
How do you pronounce “pent”?
“Pent” is pronounced pehnt (/pɛnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “pent” in a sentence?
Here is “pent” used in a sentence: “Years of pent frustration finally spilled out during the argument.”
What part of speech is “pent”?
Depending on how it is used, “pent” can be an adjective and a noun.
How many meanings does “pent” have?
“Pent” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: shut up or confined, as if enclosed in a small pen; held back and unable to be expressed freely.
