guinea
Guinea (noun) means an old British gold coin, later valued at twenty-one shillings, used before decimal currency. Example: “The tailor still quoted his prices in guineas long after the coin went out of circulation.”
How to use guinea
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old British gold coin worth 21 shillings, or a type of African fowl.
As a slur for an Italian person, this word is offensive and should be avoided.
Word forms
guineas plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The tailor still quoted his prices in _____ long after the coin went out of circulation.
Etymology
Named after Guinea, the old term for West Africa, where the gold used to mint the coin originally came from.
Synonyms
View more →Rhymes for guinea
See all rhymes for guinea →Frequently asked questions
What does “guinea” mean?
The word “guinea” means an old British gold coin, later valued at twenty-one shillings, used before decimal currency. In plain terms, an old British gold coin worth 21 shillings, or a type of African fowl.
How do you pronounce “guinea”?
“Guinea” is pronounced GIH-nee (/ˈɡɪni/ in IPA).
How do you use “guinea” in a sentence?
Here is “guinea” used in a sentence: “The tailor still quoted his prices in guineas long after the coin went out of circulation.”
What part of speech is “guinea”?
“Guinea” is a noun.
Is “guinea” a common word?
“Guinea” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “guinea” have?
“Guinea” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an old British gold coin, later valued at twenty-one shillings, used before decimal currency.
How much was a guinea worth?
A guinea was an old British gold coin valued at twenty-one shillings, which is one shilling more than a pound (twenty shillings). In modern decimal terms that equals £1.05.
What is the difference between a guinea and a pound?
The difference is one shilling: a pound was worth twenty shillings while a guinea was worth twenty-one. The guinea was also a physical gold coin used before Britain adopted decimal currency, whereas the pound remains the standard unit today.
Is a guinea still used today?
The coin itself is no longer in circulation, but the term survives in British horse racing and some traditional auctions, where one guinea is treated as £1.05. Famous races such as the 2,000 Guineas keep the name.
What is a guinea bird?
Guinea is short for guinea fowl, a spotted African bird kept for its meat and eggs. The bird is also commonly called a guinea hen, and small flocks are often kept on farms.
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