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

Explanation

A sequin is a flat little bead that catches the light and makes evening gowns shimmer. One little sequin is pretty, but they like to stick together. There’d be no figure skating without sequins. Sequins were originally made out of tiny metal discs, but today they're commonly made from shiny circles of plastic. The original sequins explain the name, which stems from their resemblance to coins; sequin was the 17th century name of an Italian gold coin. Today's sequins are used to decorate clothes, shoes, handbags, and anything else that needs extra sparkles.

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

The rock walls of Pu‘okinau-o-mahuka heiau, a dark and powerful dash. Someone’s swimming pool is a sequin sparkling in the moonlight. And finally Tūtū’s and my lo‘i laid out in neat terraces.

From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila

Related Words

• jewel
• tinsel