YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

lenient

Adjective

IPA /ˈliːniənt/

Understand it. Say it. Use it.

UNDERSTAND THE WORD

Meaning in plain English

Less strict than might be expected when applying rules or deciding how to respond to mistakes.

SAY IT ALOUD

Pronunciation

lenient/ˈliːniənt/

PICTURE THE IDEA

See the meaning

Follow the idea

A minor rule is broken
A warning instead of a harsh penalty

A lenient response is less strict than might be expected.

SEE IT IN EVERYDAY ENGLISH

Examples in context

Read the examples aloud. Notice how the word fits the sentence, then think of a situation of your own.

My parents were lenient about bedtime during the school holidays.
The tutor was lenient with students who submitted work slightly late.

MAKE IT STICK

Quick word quiz

Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Can you recall the word?

Complete the example using the word from this lesson.

My parents were ________ about bedtime during the school holidays.

Show the answer

lenient — Less strict than might be expected when applying rules or deciding how to respond to mistakes.

Try your own sentence (optional)

Make it yours

Write one sentence using “lenient” about your own life.

Your sentence (optional)

Check your sentence

Does your sentence match this meaning?

Less strict than might be expected when applying rules or deciding how to respond to mistakes.

Compare: My parents were lenient about bedtime during the school holidays.

Check the spelling and how the word fits the sentence. Your example can be different.

Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.

This quiz is for practice. To save lesson completion on this device, complete the checks in the app.

Word origin

From Latin lenire, meaning to soothe, based on lenis, meaning mild or gentle.

Did you know?

Lenient with someone describes how that person is treated.

Explore related words

Open a word’s lesson when available, or explore entries that use the related term.

Make the word your own

Say the word aloud and read an example sentence.
Write a new sentence about something familiar to you.
Cover the meaning and try explaining the word in your own words.

Continue with the app’s practice check, then try a sentence of your own to mark this word complete.

Practise this word in the app

Completion and saved words stay in this browser on this device.