sequin

American  

[see-kwin] / ˈsi kwɪn /

Italian zecchino

noun

1. a small shining disk or spangle used for ornamentation, as on clothing, accessories, or theatrical costumes.

2. a former gold coin of Venice, introduced in 1284; ducat.

3. a former gold coin of Malta, introduced c1535.

4. a former gold coin of Turkey, introduced in 1478.

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sequin British  

/ ˈsiːkwɪn /

noun

1. a small piece of shiny often coloured metal foil or plastic, usually round, used to decorate garments, etc

2. Also called: zecchino.  any of various gold coins that were formerly minted in Italy, Turkey, and Malta

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Other Word Forms

• sequined adjective

Etymology

Origin of sequin

First recorded in 1575–85; from French sequin, from Italian zecchino, equivalent to zecc(a) “mint” (from Arabic sikkah “die, coin”) + -ino -ine ²

Example Sentences

We caught up with four stars of the stage as they donned their costumes and sequins to come up with a list that enables a dame to steal the show.

From BBC

Grande, who plays the good witch Glinda, was decked out in a champagne pink sequin dress at the premiere while Erivo, who plays the wicked witch, wore a black tube grown embroidered with roses.

From BBC

Reformation imagines a world where homemaking is sequins and satin.

From Salon

His designs promoted a glamorous aesthetic credited with expressing strength and independence for women -- and overturned masculine stereotypes with low necklines and sequins for men.

From Barron's

But it was this week’s “storytelling” episode, rife with sequins and The Situation as it was, that sealed the show’s status as the embodiment of everything America cares about and stands for, circa late 2010.

From Salon

Related Words

• jewel
• tinsel