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noun

fen

fehn

Fen (noun) means a low-lying wetland fed by groundwater, typically less acidic than a bog. Example: “The nature reserve protects one of the last fens in the region.”

noun
1
A low-lying wetland fed by groundwater, typically less acidic than a bog.
"The nature reserve protects one of the last fens in the region."
2
A swamp or marsh in general.
"They got the truck stuck in a muddy fen."

How to use fen

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA type of wetland, or loosely, any marshy ground.

Common pairings
the Fens (East Anglia) fen drainage

Word forms

fens plural, fen plural, fens plural, fens plural

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Test yourself on “fen” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The nature reserve protects one of the last _____ in the region.

Etymology

From Old English fenn ("marsh, mud"), from a very old Indo-European root meaning "bog" or "mire."

Origin: Old English

Frequently asked questions

What does “fen” mean?

The word “fen” means a low-lying wetland fed by groundwater, typically less acidic than a bog. In plain terms, a type of wetland, or loosely, any marshy ground.

How do you pronounce “fen”?

“Fen” is pronounced fehn (/fɛn/ in IPA).

How do you use “fen” in a sentence?

Here is “fen” used in a sentence: “The nature reserve protects one of the last fens in the region.”

What part of speech is “fen”?

“Fen” is a noun.

Where does the word “fen” come from?

The word “fen” comes from Old English. From Old English fenn ("marsh, mud"), from a very old Indo-European root meaning "bog" or "mire.".

How many meanings does “fen” have?

“Fen” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a low-lying wetland fed by groundwater, typically less acidic than a bog.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial