noun
Common
guinea
GIH-nee
Guinea (noun) means an old British gold coin, later valued at twenty-one shillings, used before decimal currency. Example: “A guinea was worth a little more than a pound in old money.”
noun
1
An old British gold coin, later valued at twenty-one shillings, used before decimal currency.
"A guinea was worth a little more than a pound in old money."
"In old novels, a gentleman might pay a guinea for a fine hat."
"The tailor still quoted his prices in guineas long after the coin went out of circulation."
"However, since there are 488 pages in all for a bargain price of a guinea one must not be too carping."
— , New Reading on Railways: Locomotives of British Railways, by H. C. Casserley & L. Asher, Spring Books, 21s (1962)
2
Short for guinea fowl, a spotted African bird kept for its meat and eggs.
"The guinea made a loud, harsh call whenever strangers came near the farm."
"We saw a speckled guinea strutting across the yard."
"The farm keeps a small flock of guineas alongside the chickens."
How to use guinea
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old British gold coin worth 21 shillings, or a type of African fowl.
When to use it
As a slur for an Italian person, this word is offensive and should be avoided.
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Word forms
- Plural
- guineas
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A _____ was worth a little more than a pound in old money.
Etymology
Named after Guinea, the old term for West Africa, where the gold used to mint the coin originally came from.
Synonyms
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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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