rent
REHNT
Rent (noun) means the regular payment a tenant makes to use someone else's property. Example: “The rent on the flat goes up every year.”
noun
1
The regular payment a tenant makes to use someone else's property.
"The rent on the flat goes up every year."
"They split the rent three ways between roommates."
"My landlord says the rent is due on the first of every month."
2
A tear or split in fabric or another surface.
"There was a rent in the tent that let the rain in."
"A long rent ran down the side of the old curtain."
"She stitched up the rent in her coat sleeve before the trip."
verb
1
To pay for the temporary use of property, equipment, or a service.
"We rented a car for the week we were in Spain."
"She rents a small studio near the station."
"Can we rent bikes by the hour at the lake?"
2
To let someone use your property in exchange for regular payment.
"They rent out their spare room to students."
"Our neighbour rents the garage to a man who repairs old furniture."
"If you rent your house while you are abroad, check the insurance first."
How to use rent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the money paid to use a place (as a noun) or the act of paying to use something temporarily (as a verb).
Common mistake
Rent (payment) and rent (a tear) are unrelated words that just happen to look the same.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
pay rent
rent a car
rent out
back rent
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Word forms
- Plural
- rents
- Third person singular
- rents
- Past tense
- rented
- Comparative
- more rent
- Superlative
- most rent
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ on the flat goes up every year.
Etymology
From Old French rente, ultimately from Latin reddere, "to give back" — the same root behind render and surrender.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for rent
See all rhymes for rent →Frequently asked questions
What does “rent” mean?
The word “rent” means the regular payment a tenant makes to use someone else's property. In plain terms, either the money paid to use a place (as a noun) or the act of paying to use something temporarily (as a verb).
How do you pronounce “rent”?
“Rent” is pronounced REHNT (/ˈɹɛnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “rent” in a sentence?
Here is “rent” used in a sentence: “The rent on the flat goes up every year.”
What part of speech is “rent”?
Depending on how it is used, “rent” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “rent” come from?
The word “rent” comes from Latin. From Old French rente, ultimately from Latin reddere, "to give back" — the same root behind render and surrender.
Is “rent” a common word?
“Rent” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “rent” have?
“Rent” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the regular payment a tenant makes to use someone else's property.
What is the difference between rent and a mortgage?
Rent is the regular payment a tenant makes to use a property they do not own; it buys the right to live there for a time and builds no ownership. A mortgage is a loan used to buy property, and its payments gradually make you the owner. Renters pay a landlord; borrowers repay a lender.
What is the difference between rent and a lease?
Rent is the actual payment made to use a property. A lease is the contract that sets the terms, such as how long you stay and how much rent costs. In everyday speech 'lease' often implies a longer fixed term, while renting can be month to month, but the rent is what you hand over.
What does rent usually include?
It varies by agreement. Rent always covers the right to occupy the property. Sometimes it also includes utilities like water, heat, or trash collection, and in apartments it may cover shared amenities such as parking or a gym. Many rentals, though, bill utilities separately, so tenants should check what the rent actually covers.
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