# Simons

/ˈsaɪmənz/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/simons
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a British slang term for sixpence coins, which are no longer used in everyday money. You might see this word in old stories or history books about the UK.

For teachers: an archaic British slang term for a sixpence coin. Derived from 17th-century cant, it is now obsolete in modern currency contexts but appears in historical or numismatic literature.

## Examples

- The old man found a few simons in his childhood drawer.
- In the 1800s, a beggar might have been grateful to receive a few simons for a day's work.
- While the term has largely vanished from the modern lexicon, historical accounts of London's underworld frequently mention simons alongside other colorful names for low-denomination silver coinage.

## Usage notes

- Primarily used in the plural; now considered archaic or historical slang.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.