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

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 • Nov. 14, 2025

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.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 13, 2025

At a backyard disco party he threw recently, Zuckerberg wore a sequin floral bomber jacket over a drapey shirt unbuttoned to the mid-stomach.

From Salon • Nov. 9, 2024

The social media magnate is dressed to the nines in a sequin jacket patterned like tin ceiling tiles.

From Slate • Oct. 30, 2024

During danger she fanned out her dragon claws and riffled her red sequin scales and unfolded her coiling green stripes.

From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston

Related Words

• jewel
• tinsel