Pen — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun abbreviation /ˈpen/

Meaning & Definition of Pen

Pen (verb)

  1. to shut in or as if in a pen
  2. write, indite

Pen (noun)

  1. a small enclosure for animals
  2. the animals in a pen
  3. a small place of confinement or storage
  4. an implement for writing or drawing with ink or a similar fluid
  5. quill
  6. pen point
  7. a female swan
  8. penitentiary

Pen (abbreviation)

  1. peninsula
  2. International Association of Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists and Novelists

Pen (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody

    "earned six years in a federal pen"

    similar: bastille, big house (slang), bridewell, brig, calaboose, can, clink (slang), cooler, coop, guardroom, hock, hold, hoosegow, jail, jailhouse, joint (slang), jug, lockup, nick (British slang), penitentiary, pokey (slang), prison, quod (British slang), slam, slammer, stir (slang), stockade, tolbooth (Scottish)
    near: outside
  2. an enclosure with an open framework for keeping animals

    "a goat pen"

    similar: cage, coop, corral, hutch, pound
  3. a person who creates a written work

    "Alexander Hamilton is reckoned to be the pseudonymous pen behind two thirds of the Federalist Papers"

    opposite: nonauthor

Pen (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to close or shut in by or as if by barriers

    "remember to pen up the dogs when visitors come over"

  2. to compose and set down on paper the words of

    "though relatively unknown at the time of his death, the composer had penned some of the most memorable show tunes of his era"

Related Entry: Pen name (noun)

Pen name is a different word from Pen. The synonyms below are for pen name, not for pen.

  1. as in nom de plume

Related Entry: Pen names (noun)

Pen names is a different word from Pen. The synonyms below are for pen names, not for pen.

  1. as in noms de plume

Related Entry: Pen pal (noun)

Pen pal is a different word from Pen. The synonyms below are for pen pal, not for pen.

  1. as in friend, main man

Related Entry: Pen pals (noun)

Pen pals is a different word from Pen. The synonyms below are for pen pals, not for pen.

  1. as in friends, main men

Related Entry: Bull pen (noun)

Bull pen is a different word from Pen. The synonyms below are for bull pen, not for pen.

  1. as in cell, hole

    opposite: outside

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Pen

The most common words with a similar meaning to Pen:

British slang: nick, quod
Scottish: tolbooth

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Pen

Words with the opposite meaning of Pen:

Near Antonyms of Pen

Word Forms of Pen

Inflections: penned, penning

Origin & Etymology of Pen

Middle English pennen, from Old English -pennian

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Pen

Words & Phrases Containing Pen

Frequently Asked Questions about Pen

What does "Pen" mean?

"Pen" means to shut in or as if in a pen. As an a verb, a noun and an abbreviation, it is defined as: to shut in or as if in a pen. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Pen"?

Other words for "Pen" include bastille, big house, bridewell, brig, calaboose, can, clink and cooler. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Pen" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Pen"?

There are 186 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Pen". Common alternatives include bastille, big house, bridewell, brig, calaboose, can, clink, cooler, coop and guardroom.

What is a slang word for "Pen"?

Slang words for "Pen" include big house, clink, joint, pokey, stir and nick.

What is the opposite of "Pen"?

Antonyms of "Pen" include nonauthor. Near antonyms include outside.

How do you use "Pen" in a sentence?

Examples of "Pen" in a sentence: "earned six years in a federal pen"; "a goat pen"; "Alexander Hamilton is reckoned to be the pseudonymous pen behind two thirds of the Federalist Papers".

Is "Pen" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Pen" can be used as a verb, a noun and an abbreviation, depending on the context.

Is "Pen" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Pen" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.