# Guinea

/ˈɡɪni/ (US) · /ɡˈɪni/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/guinea
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a country

noun · CEFR B1

a country located on the west coast of Africa.

For teachers: a sovereign nation in West Africa, officially known as the Republic of Guinea.

- The capital of Guinea is Conakry, which is a major port city.
- Diplomatic relations between the two nations improved significantly after the trade delegation returned from Guinea with a new mining agreement.

### 2. historical currency

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Archaic

an old British gold coin or a sum of money worth 21 shillings.

For teachers: a British gold coin and unit of account used from 1663 to 1816, later fixed at a value of twenty-one shillings.

- In the old novel, the character paid fifty guineas for a fine horse.
- Even after the guinea was replaced by the sovereign, professional fees for doctors and lawyers were often still quoted in guineas as a mark of status.

Usage: In historical contexts, it refers to a specific value (21 shillings) rather than just a physical coin.

## Examples

- The traveler spent three weeks exploring Guinea.
- The mining company invested heavily in the bauxite reserves found within the borders of Guinea.
- Diplomatic relations between the neighboring states improved significantly after the summit held in Conakry, the capital of Guinea, which focused on regional security and trade.

---

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.