Definition of "penitent" in English

adjective

1. Feeling pain or sorrow on account of one's sins or offenses; feeling sincere guilt.

2. Doing penance.

noun

1. One who repents of sin; one sorrowful on account of their transgressions.

2. One under church censure, but admitted to penance; one undergoing penance.

3. One under the direction of a confessor.