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

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Among the pieces that she had teased on social media were a sewing machine, a steamer, lamps, a “tiny side table,” a sequin romper, and a Bergdorf Goodman jacket.

Read more on MarketWatch

In Mumbai's iconic Crawford Market, the city's biggest wholesale and retail hub where everything from spices to sequins are sold, few shopkeepers were aware of changes to GST slabs.

Read more on BBC

I want feathered hats, scraping the “Call Her Daddy” studio ceilings, and Terry Gross counting the number of sequins on a bodysuit during a very special episode of “Fresh Air.”

Read more on Salon

It has silver sequins and is semi-transparent — something out of the film “The Devil Wears Prada,” but a contemporary piece, purchased sometime this year.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• jewel 
• tinsel