sequin

[ 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 calledzecchino any of various gold coins that were formerly minted in Italy, Turkey, and Malta

Derived Forms

• ˈsequined, adjective

Other Words From

• sequined 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

Watch video ➜To try to fill the hole in their budget, Bautista did piecework, embroidering and sewing sequins on dresses.

From ProPublica

In the final show of her casino residency, glittering in her trademark sequin suit, she walks to center stage.

From Washington Post

Ruffles and feathers and sequins are not inherently feminine.

From Washington Post

She was inspired to whip out her wedding reception dress after stumbling upon a tweet of someone wearing a full-length sequin gown to a vaccine appointment in February, because getting vaccinated is the “EVENT OF MY YEAR,” the post said.

From Washington Post

Oh, and the protagonist in the sequin dress is actually a boy.

From The Daily Beast

“Everyone is wearing simple, clean things—very toned-down, nothing shiny or sequin-y,” said Norma.

From The Daily Beast

The lure of the sequin propelled her into show-business and a starring role in the legendary Pearl Box Review.

From The Daily Beast

All my predecessors had been paid this sequin by Frenchmen and others without distinction.

From Project Gutenberg

For each of these passports a sequin was paid to the secretary who made it out and countersigned it.

From Project Gutenberg

By a just retribution, M. Formeville is one of the literary men to whom Sequin refused to point out his original authorities.

From Project Gutenberg

He had made his last salaam, he had gained his last sequin, he had played his last trick, he had told his last lie.

From Project Gutenberg

The Genoese dropped a sequin into the hand of the officer, passing him, at the same time, on his way to the waterside.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• jewel
• tinsel