sequin

Italian zec·chi·no

[see-kwin]

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.

sequin

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• sequined adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sequin¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sequin¹

C17: via French from Italian zecchino, from zecca mint, from Arabic sikkah die for striking coins

Example Sentences

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.

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Reformation imagines a world where homemaking is sequins and satin.

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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.

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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.

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Five hours later, Horvath had traded her sequins and rainbow sneakers for a simple black dress and heels.

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Related Words

• jewel 
• tinsel