ENGLISH
REFERENCE

guineas

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈɡɪniz// UK //ɡˈɪniz// guineas

n. an old British gold coin or a unit of money equal to 21 shillings. It is often mentioned in historical books or when talking about the price of expensive things like horses or art.

n. a former British gold coin or a unit of account worth twenty-one shillings. Often used in historical contexts or for specific high-value transactions such as livestock auctions and professional fees.


SIMPLE

The antique desk was sold for fifty guineas.

CONTEXTUAL

In the nineteenth century, luxury goods were often priced in guineas to appeal to the upper classes.

COMPLEX

Although the physical coin was last minted in the early nineteenth century, the guinea persisted as a prestigious unit of account in the art and horse-racing worlds until decimalisation.

Synonyms
Usage

Plural form of 'guinea'; as a unit of value, it equals one pound and one shilling (or £1.05 in modern currency).

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