guinea hen: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowSpecialized, sometimes informal/dated (when used metaphorically).
Quick answer
What does “guinea hen” mean?
The female of the guinea fowl, a domesticated bird native to Africa, known for its speckled feathers and loud call.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The female of the guinea fowl, a domesticated bird native to Africa, known for its speckled feathers and loud call.
Sometimes used metaphorically for a fussy, noisy, or sharp-eyed person, often a woman (dated/pejorative).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in literal meaning. The metaphorical use may be slightly more recognized in older British literature.
Connotations
Neutral for the bird. The metaphorical use carries a negative connotation of being noisy, watchful, or fussy.
Frequency
Equally low in both dialects. Known primarily to farmers, bird enthusiasts, and readers of older literature.
Grammar
How to Use “guinea hen” in a Sentence
The guinea hen [VERB: clucked, foraged, nested].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in ornithological/agricultural contexts.
Everyday
Rare, except in rural or farming communities.
Technical
Used in poultry farming and zoology to specify the female bird.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “guinea hen”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “guinea hen”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “guinea hen”
- Using 'guinea hen' to refer to the male (which is a 'guinea cock').
- Misspelling as 'guinea hen' without the space.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a different species entirely, belonging to the guinea fowl family, native to Africa.
Yes, its meat and eggs are edible, though it is less common than chicken and has a gamier flavour.
It is a dated, often unkind metaphor suggesting the person is watchful, fussy, or makes sharp, noisy comments.
The male is called a guinea cock.
The female of the guinea fowl, a domesticated bird native to Africa, known for its speckled feathers and loud call.
Guinea hen is usually specialized, sometimes informal/dated (when used metaphorically). in register.
Guinea hen: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡɪni hɛn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡɪni hɛn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “nervous as a guinea hen”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a HEN from GUINEA (Africa) with polka-dot feathers making a loud 'chi-chi-chi' sound.
Conceptual Metaphor
WATCHFULNESS/NOISE IS A GUINEA HEN (dated).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'guinea hen' primarily?