# hen

/ˈhɛn/ (US) · /hˈɛn/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. female chicken

noun · CEFR A1

a female chicken that is old enough to lay eggs.

For teachers: a sexually mature female chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus).

- The farmer collected six fresh eggs from the hen this morning.
- The free-range hens spent the afternoon scratching at the soil in search of insects and seeds.

### 2. female bird

noun · CEFR B2

the female of any kind of bird.

For teachers: the female of any avian species, particularly within the order Galliformes.

- The hen pheasant is much less colourful than the male bird.
- Ornithologists observed the hen returning to the nest while the male remained on guard nearby.

### 3. term of address

noun · CEFR B2 · Dialect · Informal

a friendly way to talk to a woman or girl, used mainly in Scotland.

For teachers: an informal and affectionate term of address for a female.

- Don't worry about the rain, hen, the bus will be here soon.
- In Glasgow, it is common for shopkeepers to address female customers as 'hen' regardless of their age.

### 4. pre-wedding party

noun · CEFR B1 · British English · Informal

a party for a woman who is about to get married.

For teachers: a social gathering or party held for a woman shortly before her wedding; a shortening of 'hen night' or 'hen party'.

- She is going to Blackpool this weekend for her sister's hen.
- The restaurant was filled with several lively groups, including a large hen wearing matching pink sashes.

## Examples

- The hen lays an egg every morning.
- We keep a small flock of hens in the backyard for fresh eggs.
- The broody hen sat motionless on her nest, fiercely guarding the developing embryos from any potential predators.

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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.