What does hen mean?
A hen is an adult female chicken, the female counterpart of a cock or rooster. The word is more precise than chicken, which can refer to the species as a whole, to the bird generally, or to chicken as food. Hens are associated with eggs, nesting, brooding, and the familiar imagery of a farmyard, which helps explain expressions such as mother hen and the traditional phrase hen and chicks. The expression “hen's teeth” is also established, especially in the comparison “as scarce as hen's teeth,” meaning extremely rare or difficult to obtain. Although its main modern sense is straightforward, hen also has an older or regional use meaning a woman, often with an affectionate or dismissive tone depending on context. Hen is a native English word with a long history and close relatives in several Germanic languages, including German Henne, Swedish höna, and Norwegian høne. It remains a useful word whenever the sex of a chicken is specifically important.
nounAn adult female chicken. In older or dialectal usage, the word can also mean a woman.
- An adult female chicken.
- A woman, especially in dated, regional, or literary usage.
"The hen gathered her chicks beneath the hedge as evening fell."
"A grey hen stepped cautiously into the garden."
"The phrase “mother hen” can affectionately describe someone who fusses over everyone else's welfare."
The standard plural of hen is hens, referring to multiple female chickens.
"Several hens wandered across the yard."
The phrase “hen's teeth” is a classic oddity: it promises something exceptionally rare, almost as if it were impossible to find.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hen come from?
Hen comes from Old English henn, meaning a female chicken and originally the feminine counterpart of Old English han, meaning a cock. It belongs to a Germanic word family that also includes German Henne, Swedish höna, Norwegian høne, and Danish høne. The older sense meaning a woman developed alongside the continuing use for a female chicken.
Related word forms
How hen is actually used
Hen is precise when referring to an adult female chicken, while chicken can refer to the species generally and, in some contexts, to its meat. The meaning “woman” is chiefly old-fashioned or regional rather than standard modern usage.
Easily confused with hen
“Then” is an adverb or conjunction indicating time or consequence, whereas “hen” is a noun referring to a female chicken or, in older usage, a woman.