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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

guinea

/ˈɡɪni/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:05
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What does guinea mean?

noun

  1. Synonym of guinea fowl.

proper noun

  1. A country in West Africa. Official name: Republic of Guinea.
More meanings (4)

noun

  1. (historical) A gold coin originally worth twenty shillings; later (from 1717 until the adoption of decimal currency) standardised at a value of twenty-one shillings.
  2. (derogatory, slang) A person of Italian descent.

proper noun

  1. (historical) The coastal region of West Africa between Morocco and the Congo, particularly the north shore of the Gulf of Guinea.
  2. (derogatory, slang) Alternative letter-case form of guinea, an Italian.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/ˈɡɪni/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

He wrote with his own hand his love to his cousin William, and sent him half a guinea under the seal.
Jane AustenMansfield ParkProject Gutenberg ebook #141
There must be great demand for a commodity that costs a guinea a foot, and a month an inch to polish!
Horace WalpoleThe Letters of Horace Walpole, Earl of Orford — Volume 2Project Gutenberg ebook #4610
More book examples (3)
One day my small son came with his exciting information that his guinea pig, well known as a stupid beast, could count.
Hans GrossCriminal Psychology: A Manual for Judges, Practitioners, and StudentsTranslated by Horace Meyer KallenProject Gutenberg ebook #1320
In time of peace, and in the merchant-service, the London price is from a guinea to about seven-and-twenty shillings the calendar month.
Adam SmithAn Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of NationsProject Gutenberg ebook #3300
I mean to begin with a guinea pig, and work my way through the animal kingdom till I come to a Second Trombone.
Arthur Sullivan; W. S. (William Schwenck) GilbertThe Complete Plays of Gilbert and SullivanProject Gutenberg ebook #808