coin
KOIHN
Coin (noun) means a small, flat piece of metal issued by a government as money. Example: “A single coin rolled under the sofa and was never found.”
noun
1
A small, flat piece of metal issued by a government as money.
"A single coin rolled under the sofa and was never found."
"He dropped a coin into the vending machine."
"She collected old coins from around the world."
verb
1
To invent a new word or phrase.
"She coined a funny nickname for the office printer."
"Who first coined the phrase "couch potato"?"
"The journalist is credited with coining the term "cyberspace.""
How to use coin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA piece of metal money — or, as a verb, to invent a new word or expression.
Common pairings
coin a phrase
flip a coin
loose coins
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- coins
- Past tense
- coined
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A single _____ rolled under the sofa and was never found.
Etymology
From Old French coigne, "wedge" or "die for stamping money," from Latin cuneus, "wedge" — coins were originally struck using wedge-shaped dies.
Related words
Rhymes for coin
See all rhymes for coin →Frequently asked questions
What does “coin” mean?
The word “coin” means a small, flat piece of metal issued by a government as money. In plain terms, a piece of metal money — or, as a verb, to invent a new word or expression.
How do you pronounce “coin”?
“Coin” is pronounced KOIHN (/ˈkoɪ̯n/ in IPA).
How do you use “coin” in a sentence?
Here is “coin” used in a sentence: “He dropped a coin into the vending machine.”
What part of speech is “coin”?
Depending on how it is used, “coin” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “coin” come from?
The word “coin” comes from Latin. From Old French coigne, "wedge" or "die for stamping money," from Latin cuneus, "wedge" — coins were originally struck using wedge-shaped dies.
Is “coin” a common word?
“Coin” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “coin” have?
“Coin” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, flat piece of metal issued by a government as money.
What is the difference between a coin and a bill or note?
A coin is a small, flat piece of metal issued by a government as money. A bill (American English) or note (British English) is paper money, so coins are typically used for smaller values and notes for larger ones.
What is the difference between a coin and a token?
A coin is government-issued legal money accepted generally. A token is privately produced and used only in limited settings such as arcades, laundromats, or transit systems, and it is not legal tender.
What is the difference between coin and currency?
A coin is a single physical piece of metal money. Currency is the whole money system of a country, including both coins and paper notes, so coins are one form of currency.
