Meaning & use
convenanted
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“convenanted” is a form of “covenant”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitiveformallegal
made a formal agreement or promise, especially in a legal document or a religious ceremony
Grammar: Often used in the passive: 'The land was covenanted to the charity.' As an active verb, it can take an object or be followed by 'to do something'.
Patterns
- covenant something to someone
- covenant to do something
- be covenanted to do something
The two companies covenanted to share the profits equally.
In the ceremony, the couple covenanted to support each other for life.
The land was covenanted to the village for public use.
adjectivebefore a nounformallegal
bound by a formal agreement or promise, especially in a legal or religious context
Grammar: Used before a noun to describe something that is secured or restricted by a covenant.
Patterns
- covenanted land
- covenanted rights
The covenanted land cannot be sold without permission.
They have covenanted rights to use the water supply.
Word forms
| base form | covenant |
|---|---|
| third person singular | covenants |
| past tense | covenanted |
| past participle | covenanted |
| -ing form | covenanting |
Common combinations
- covenant to do something
- They covenanted to keep the building in good repair.
- be covenanted to
- The money was covenanted to the church.
- covenanted land
- The covenanted land is protected from development.
- covenanted rights
- The covenanted rights include access to the river.
Synonyms and how they differ
- agreed
- More general and common; 'agreed' can be used in any context, while 'covenanted' is formal and suggests a binding promise.
- contracted
- Focuses on a legal contract; 'covenanted' often implies a solemn or religious promise as well.
Word family
- covenant noun
- a formal agreement or promise
- covenantal adjective
- relating to a covenant
- covenantor noun
- a person who makes a covenant
Commonly confused: convenanted or convenient?
convenanted vs convenient
Sounds similar but means 'easy to use or suitable'. 'Convenanted' is about a formal agreement.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'convenanted' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The verb 'covenant' means to make a formal agreement, often followed by 'to do something'. In option B, 'covenanted to protect' fits this pattern. The other options confuse 'covenanted' with 'convenient' or use it as an adjective meaning 'comfortable', which is incorrect.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “convenanted”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.