sixpence

[ siks-puhns ]

noun

, plural six·pence, six·penc·es

1. (used with a singular or plural verb) British. a sum of six pennies.
2. (used with a singular verb) a cupronickel coin of the United Kingdom, the half of a shilling, formerly equal to six pennies: equal to two and one-half new pence after decimalization in 1971.

sixpence

/ ˈsɪkspəns /

noun

1. a small British cupronickel coin with a face value of six pennies, worth 2 1 2 (new) pence, not minted since 1970

Word History and Origins

Origin of sixpence¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, sixpence is from Middle English sexe pans. See six, pence

Example Sentences

They just turn on a sixpence and go and look for something else.

From The Daily Beast

A friend of mine tells me that he smokes every day, at a cost of about sixpence a-week.

From Project Gutenberg

Now, I would like to know in what other way so much enjoyment is to be bought for sixpence.

From Project Gutenberg

It is certain that he restored every sixpence that had been deposited in the morning, and could not die until he had done so.

From Project Gutenberg

On arriving he tendered the driver sixpence, which was strictly the fare, though but scant remuneration for the distance.

From Project Gutenberg

A message can be sent from any postoffice at a cost of sixpence for the first ten words.

From Project Gutenberg