Several tenets of the old theory no longer fit the evidence.
Compassion is one of the faith's core tenets.
Free speech is a central tenet of the organization.
The book challenges a basic tenet of modern economics.
The policy rests on the tenet that everyone deserves due process.
Similar words
creed
axiom
dogma
principle
precept
belief
maxim
doctrine
Meanings
Usage
Use tenet for a held principle, often one shared by a group or system, and use tenant only for someone who rents or occupies property.
Common mistakes
Tenant is the common wrong word for tenet, and tenet is not a verb.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin tenet, meaning he, she, or it holds, from tenere, meaning to hold or possess.
FAQ
What does tenet mean?
A tenet is a principle, belief, or doctrine accepted as true, especially by a group or system.
What is the plural of tenet?
The plural is tenets.
Is tenet the same as tenant?
No. Tenet means a held principle. Tenant means someone who rents or occupies property.
Can tenet be used as a verb?
No. Tenet is a noun, so forms like she tenets are incorrect.
Where does tenet come from?
It comes from Latin tenet, meaning he, she, or it holds.
Comments & contributions
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Nifty Skylark
Jul 11
en español tenant me lleva directo a inquilino, tenet a principio. dos palabras demasiado parecidas
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Rustic Weasel
Jun 30
lol i have typed tenant of democracy more than once and spellcheck just smiles at it
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Jaunty Chipmunk
Jun 29
It has a slightly fancy suit on. One tenet of my diet is no soda is understandable, but in normal talk I'd just say rule or principle unless I was joking.
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Quick Firefly
Jun 28
I wouldnt use this for every point in an argument. The tenets are the beliefs underneath the argument. The points you make are claims, reasons, premises, whatever your class calls them.
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Quirky Pangolin
Jun 25
The pronunciation trips people too. tenet is usually TEN-it, not TEN-ent. Tenant has that extra n sound near the end, even if people blur it when talking fast
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Eager Salamander
Jun 21
In office decks I see core tenants all the time. It is almost always supposed to be core tenets, like core principles. If actual renters are not involved, check the spelling before sending it.