sequin

American  

[see-kwin] / ˈsi kwɪn /

Italian zecchino

noun

• sequins
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• sequined
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• sequins
  plural

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 Sequins were originally made out of tiny metal discs, but today they're commonly made from shiny circles of plastic.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

See Examples For:

sequin sequins

In her sequin blazer, red pants, black boots, bow tie and wide-brim hat, the 11-year-old mirrored his musical gestures, never missing a beat.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 13, 2026

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

At that cue, Zora in her rubber suit with the flashing green sequin scales would tumble into the tank.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

As I walk into the heart of the 60th Notting Hill Carnival, the sun is shining and bouncing off the sequins, gems and sparkles of the costumes and decorations surrounding me.

From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026

She favored figure-hugging dresses, tops and sets, many of which were covered in sequins or embellished with rhinestones.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

Faux jewels, sequins and shiny baubles were Parton’s signature once she became a household name.

From Salon ● Aug. 26, 2026

Still I feel for those in long sleeves and/or tons of sequins.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 15, 2026

The diary is covered in purple and red silk, decorated with small sequins and bits of mirrored glass sewn in.

From "The Night Diary" by Veera Hiranandani

Related Words

• jewel
• tinsel