# Guinness

/ˈɡɪnəs/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. Irish beer

noun · CEFR B2

a famous brand of dark, heavy beer from Ireland.

For teachers: a brand of Irish dry stout known for its dark colour and creamy head. Uncountable when referring to the brand or liquid in general.

- He ordered a pint of Guinness and waited for the foam to settle.
- The brewery in Dublin has become a major tourist destination for those interested in the history of Guinness and its global distribution.

Usage: Often used without an article when referring to the brand or the substance.

### 2. a glass of beer

noun · CEFR B2

one glass or serving of Guinness beer.

For teachers: a single serving, typically a pint or a bottle, of Guinness stout. Countable in this context.

- The bartender poured three Guinnesses for the group at the corner table.
- After a long day of hiking through the Irish countryside, the travellers stopped at a local pub for a couple of cold Guinnesses.

Usage: Used as a countable noun in bar or restaurant contexts.

### 3. world records

noun · CEFR B2

a famous book or organisation that keeps track of world records.

For teachers: a reference to Guinness World Records, the primary international authority on record-breaking achievements.

- He wanted to get into Guinness by building the world's tallest house of cards.
- The committee spent months verifying the evidence before officially entering the achievement into the Guinness World Records.

Usage: Usually capitalised as it refers to a specific organisation or publication.

## Examples

- He ordered a pint of Guinness at the pub.
- The bartender took his time pouring the Guinness to ensure the foam settled perfectly.
- While many associate Guinness with its iconic Dublin brewery, the brand has become a global symbol of Irish identity, served in nearly every corner of the world.

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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.