# colleen

/ˌkɑˈɫin/ (US) · /kəlˈiːn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/colleen
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a girl or young woman

noun · CEFR C2 · Dialect · Literary

a word for a girl or a young woman, especially one who is not married.

For teachers: a girl or young unmarried woman. The term is a phonetic anglicisation of the Irish word 'cailín'.

- The old song tells the story of a young Irish colleen who moved to the city.
- The poet described the local colleens gathering by the well, using the term to lend an air of traditional Irish charm to the verse.

Usage: Commonly used in Irish English or in literature set in Ireland; it is rarely used in everyday speech outside of Ireland.

Teaching tip: This word is often perceived as a 'stage-Irish' term or a romanticised stereotype when used by non-Irish speakers. Learners should be aware it sounds quite old-fashioned or specifically regional.

## Examples

- The old song tells the story of a young Irish colleen.
- During the festival, several local performers dressed as traditional colleens to welcome the visitors.
- The poet often used the term colleen to evoke a sense of nostalgic Irish identity in his verses about the countryside.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.