noun
sixpence
SIHKS-puhns
Sixpence (noun) means a former British coin worth six pennies, equal to half a shilling. Example: “Her grandmother still had an old sixpence tucked in a drawer.”
noun
1
A former British coin worth six pennies, equal to half a shilling.
"Have you got two sixpences for a shilling?"
"Her grandmother still had an old sixpence tucked in a drawer."
"I remember playing card games with my grandfather. Games of memory, not of skill. If I won, he gave me sixpence; if he won, he didn't. We would play until I was bored, or until he ran out of sixpences."
— Neil Gaiman, Mr. Punch (1994)
How to use sixpence
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old British coin worth six old pennies, no longer in circulation.
UK vs US
A relic of pre-decimal British currency; unfamiliar to most Americans.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like sixpence.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- sixpences
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her grandmother still had an old _____ tucked in a drawer.
Etymology
From "six" plus "pence."
Related words
Rhymes for sixpence
See all rhymes for sixpence →Frequently asked questions
What does “sixpence” mean?
The word “sixpence” means a former British coin worth six pennies, equal to half a shilling. In plain terms, an old British coin worth six old pennies, no longer in circulation.
How do you pronounce “sixpence”?
“Sixpence” is pronounced SIHKS-puhns (/ˈsɪks.pəns/ in IPA).
How do you use “sixpence” in a sentence?
Here is “sixpence” used in a sentence: “Her grandmother still had an old sixpence tucked in a drawer.”
What is another word for “sixpence”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sixpence” include sixpenny bit, tanner, lord, tester, tizzy and hog.
What part of speech is “sixpence”?
“Sixpence” is a noun.
