Lessee is a synonym of tenant. As nouns the difference between lessee and tenant is that lessee is an individual or a corporation who has the right of use of something of value, gained through a lease agreement with the real owner of the property while tenant is one who pays a fee (rent) in return for the use of land, buildings, or other property owned by others. As verbs the difference between lessee and tenant is that lessee is while tenant is to hold as, or be, a tenant.