Word
sixpence
Phoneticssix·pence
US/ˈsɪkspəns/
UK/sˈɪkspəns/
Definition
n. a small silver-colored coin used in Britain in the past. It was worth six pennies and was often considered a lucky charm.
n. a former British coin worth six old pence, withdrawn from circulation in 1980. Often associated with traditional customs, such as being hidden in a Christmas pudding for good luck.
Examples
“She found an old sixpence in the back of the drawer.”
“Before the currency changed to the decimal system, you could buy quite a lot of sweets with a single sixpence.”
“The bride followed the old tradition by placing a silver sixpence in her shoe to ensure a life of wealth and happiness.”
Examples
simple
“She found an old sixpence in the back of the drawer.”
contextual
“Before the currency changed to the decimal system, you could buy quite a lot of sweets with a single sixpence.”
complex
“The bride followed the old tradition by placing a silver sixpence in her shoe to ensure a life of wealth and happiness.”
Usage
Primarily used in historical contexts or when referring to British folklore and nursery rhymes.
Real-World Examples
“The British sixpence (/ˈsɪkspəns/) coin, sometimes known as a tanner, was a denomination of sterling coinage worth six old pence: 1⁄40 of a pound or half a shilling.” “Meanwhile, the whist drive ticket, priced at 6d or sixpence, would have taken place during the reign of King Charles III's grandfather, George VI, hosted by the Buckingham palace social club.” “At sixpence each, the books were tailor-made for Woolworths department stores.” “One old coin that survived longer than expected was the sixpence.” Etymology
From six + pence, a compound formed directly from the cardinal number and the unit of currency. The coin itself circulated from 1551 to 1971, though the word predates decimalisation by several centuries.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
look as if one had lost a shilling and found sixpence — To look very disappointed.
look as if one has lost a shilling and found sixpence — To look annoyed or displeased.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/sixpence