What does “Guinea-pig” mean?

"Guinea-pig" means a small domesticated rodent that is often used in scientific experiments.

What context can I use the in?

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

Example

The researchers used guinea-pigs to test the new drug.

Example

My sister has a pet guinea-pig named Fluffy.

Example

The biology lab has a colony of guinea-pigs for students to study

Is “Guinea-pig” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“Guinea-pig” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “Guinea-pig” effectively in context?

You can use "Guinea-pig" to refer to someone or something that is used as a test subject or experimental object. For example, if a new product is being tested on a group of individuals, you might say, 'They are using them as guinea pigs to see if the product is effective.'

1Scientific Research
The researchers used guinea-pigs to test the new drug.
The researchers used guinea-pigs to test the new drug.
2Pets
My sister has a pet guinea-pig named Fluffy.
My sister has a pet guinea-pig named Fluffy.
3Education
The biology lab has a colony of guinea-pigs for students to study.
The biology lab has a colony of guinea-pigs for students to study.

Similar phrases to “Guinea-pig”:

Lab rat

A person or animal used in scientific experiments

Example

The new drug was tested on lab rats before being approved for human trials.

Test subject

Someone or something used for testing or experimentation

Example

The volunteers were recruited as test subjects for the study.

Experimental object

Something used in an experiment or study

Example

The researchers used various experimental objects to analyze the effects of the treatment.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “Guinea-pig” come from?

The origin of the phrase "Guinea-pig" is unknown.

Is “Guinea-pig” common in everyday conversation?

Yes, "Guinea-pig" is a commonly used expression in everyday conversation. It is often used metaphorically to describe someone or something being used as a test subject or experimental object.

What tone does “Guinea-pig” have?

"Guinea-pig" conveys a neutral tone. It is a descriptive term used to refer to a specific type of animal or to describe someone or something being used for testing or experimentation.

Can “Guinea-pig” be used in informal and formal settings?

Yes, "Guinea-pig" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is a versatile expression that can be used in casual conversations as well as in more professional or academic contexts.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'The researchers used guinea-pigs to test the new drug.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'He volunteered to be a "guinea-pig" for the experiment.'

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

test animal
experimental subject
research subject
trial participant
research specimen