Definition of hen

Short definition: The word hen means a female chicken that people usually keep for eggs, and hen are often seen as a calm farm animal that quietly lays eggs while living around barns gardens and small backyards.

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the word hen? The word hen is simple, but it appears in many parts of daily life, from farming and food to expressions and casual talk. Most people know a hen as a female chicken, but the word is also used in friendly speech and even in slang when talking about people in a playful way. Below, each meaning is explained in a calm and natural way, so it feels real, human, and easy to understand.

Forms: hen, hens
Related: chicken n., rooster n., chick n.
Syllable: hen

1. (Noun) A female chicken, especially one that is kept for laying eggs.

   A hen is a female chicken that people usually raise for eggs and sometimes for meat. Hens are common on farms and in backyards, and they are known for laying eggs almost every day when they are healthy and well cared for.

   The hen laid an egg this morning.
   We keep a few hens in our backyard.
   The farmer feeds the hens every day.

   Synonyms: female chicken, laying bird, farm chicken, egg layer, domestic fowl, poultry hen, mother chicken, barnyard bird, egg bird, chicken hen, female fowl, yard chicken
   Antonyms: rooster, cock, male chicken, cockerel, male bird, fighting cock, dominant rooster, male fowl, father chicken, breeding cock, barn rooster, leader bird

2. (Noun) A word people use for a woman, usually in a casual or old-fashioned way.

   In some styles of English, especially older or informal speech, hen is used to refer to a woman. This usage can sound friendly in certain cultures, but in other situations it may sound rude or disrespectful, so it depends a lot on tone and context.

   The old man jokingly called her a tough hen.
   In that story, the writer uses hen to describe the women in the village.
   Some people still use hen in jokes or slang.

   Synonyms: woman, lady, female, girl, she, adult woman, female person, woman figure, female character, grown woman, female adult, lady figure
   Antonyms: man, male, gentleman, boy, he, adult man, male person, male figure, grown man, male adult, guy, fellow

3. (Slang) A playful or teasing way to describe someone who is very talkative or always busy around others.

   In casual slang, calling someone a hen can mean they are always chatting, moving around, or taking care of everyone, similar to how a hen is often seen walking around and making noise in a farmyard. This is usually said in a light and joking way.

   She’s always organizing things, such a busy hen.
   Everyone knows her as the friendly hen of the group.
   He joked that his sister is a real hen when guests come over.

   Synonyms: chatterbox, busybody, social butterfly, organizer type, caring person, talkative one, lively person, active soul, helper type, friendly face, group mom, social leader
   Antonyms: quiet person, shy type, silent one, loner, reserved person, calm soul, withdrawn type, introvert, low profile person, stay quiet type, background person, silent worker