sixpence: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low frequency; mostly historical or in set phrases.Informal, historical, or literary.
Quick answer
What does “sixpence” mean?
A British coin worth six pence, especially before decimalization in 1971.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A British coin worth six pence, especially before decimalization in 1971.
Used to refer to a small amount of money or in idiomatic expressions, often symbolizing nostalgia or trivial value.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily used in British English; in American English, it is rarely used and may be unfamiliar except in specific contexts like literature or history.
Connotations
In the UK, connotes nostalgia or old-fashioned charm; in the US, it may seem exotic or archaic.
Frequency
Extremely rare in modern American English; occasionally encountered in British English in idioms or historical references.
Grammar
How to Use “sixpence” in a Sentence
as a noun: a sixpencein prepositional phrases: with sixpencemodifier: sixpence coinVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sixpence” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- a sixpence coin from the 1950s
American English
- a sixpence souvenir from England
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; may appear in historical financial documents or discussions about antique currency.
Academic
Used in historical, numismatic, or cultural studies.
Everyday
Mostly in idioms, nursery rhymes, or nostalgic conversations.
Technical
In coin collecting or British monetary history.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sixpence”
- Using 'sixpence' in modern currency contexts incorrectly.
- Pronouncing it as /sɪksˈpens/ instead of /ˈsɪkspəns/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, sixpence coins are no longer legal tender since decimalization in 1971, but they are collectible items.
No, it is not accepted in everyday transactions; it is purely historical or collectible.
Approximately 2.5 pence in decimal currency, but its collectible value can vary.
Because it was a common coin in pre-decimal Britain, making it familiar in cultural expressions.
A British coin worth six pence, especially before decimalization in 1971.
Sixpence is usually informal, historical, or literary. in register.
Sixpence: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪkspəns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪkspəns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Sing a song of sixpence”
- “I haven't got a sixpence to my name”
- “as common as sixpence”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'six' and 'pence' combined: a coin from old England worth six pennies.
Conceptual Metaphor
Sixpence as a metaphor for something small, insignificant, or of little value.
Practice
Quiz
What is a common synonym for 'sixpence' in British slang?