Meaning & use
hen-pecked
Last updated
Meaning
adjectivenot comparableinformaldisapprovinghumorous
describes a man who is controlled or dominated by his wife or female partner
Grammar: Used before a noun or after a linking verb: a hen-pecked husband; he seems hen-pecked.
Patterns
- a hen-pecked husband
- hen-pecked by someone
His friends joke that he is completely hen-pecked and cannot go out without permission.
In the novel, the hen-pecked husband quietly does everything his wife asks.
Common combinations
- hen-pecked husband
- The comedy is about a hen-pecked husband who finally stands up for himself.
- completely hen-pecked
- He is completely hen-pecked and never makes a decision alone.
- seem hen-pecked
- He seems hen-pecked whenever his wife is in the room.
Synonyms and how they differ
- dominated
- Dominated is neutral and can describe anyone, while hen-pecked is specifically about a man controlled by a woman and is usually disapproving.
- under someone's thumb
- This idiom means controlled by someone, but it does not specify the man-wife situation and is less old-fashioned than hen-pecked.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'hen-pecked' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The answer fits because 'hen-pecked' describes a man controlled by his wife or female partner, often used before 'husband'. The first option is wrong because the word is not used for a woman controlled by a boss, and the others confuse it with literal hens or with arguing.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “hen-pecked”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.