coin

1 of 3

noun

ˈkȯin 

1

archaic

a

: corner, cornerstone, quoin

b

: wedge

2

a

: a usually flat piece of metal issued by governmental authority as money

b

: metal money

c

: something resembling a coin especially in shape

d

: a unit of a cryptocurrency

These products allow investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin without owning the actual coins.

—Lisa Loud

3

: something used as if it were money (as in verbal or intellectual exchange)

… perhaps wisecracks … are respectable literary coin in the United States …

—The Times Literary Supplement (London)

would repay him with the full coin of his mind

—Ian Fleming

4

: something having two different and usually opposing sides

—usually used in the phrase the other side of the coin

5

informal : money

I'm in it for the coin

—Sinclair Lewis

coin

2 of 3

verb

coined; coining; coins

transitive verb

1

a

: to make (a coin) especially by stamping : mint

b

: to convert (metal) into coins

2

: create, invent

coin a phrase

coiner

ˈkȯi-nər 

noun

see also:

coin money

coin

3 of 3

adjective

1

: of or relating to coins

2

: operated by coins

Synonyms of coin

Noun

• money
• cash
• currency
• coinage
• bucks
• gold

Examples of coin in a Sentence

Noun

I have a dollar in coins.

seeking a job that pays plenty of coin

Verb

The coach coined the phrase “refuse to lose.”

William Shakespeare is believed to have coined many words.

The nation plans to coin more money.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Canada halted production of its one-cent coin in 2012 and distribution in 2013 after a short transition period, while existing pennies remain legal tender. — Brian Delp, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

The platform has an immense range of products available for purchase, ranging from rare coins and sports memorabilia to appliances and furniture. — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026

Verb

Hillside Strangler, name coined by media for the serial killer believed to be responsible for the rape and murder of 10 girls and women in the Los Angeles area between October 1977 and February 1978. — Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Aug. 2026

After Carl Linnaeus—the father of the discipline, who had the gall to coin Homo sapiens—died in 1778, the slogan Deus creavit, Linnaeus disposuit (God created, Linnaeus organized) began to circulate. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Adjective

The victim told him where to find a bedroom safe and coin jar, which together contained $230. — Kim Chatelain, NOLA.com, 21 June 2017

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French coing wedge, corner, from Latin cuneus wedge

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

circa 1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing coin

• challenge coin
• coin flip
• coin money
• coin of the realm
• coin-op
• fleur de coin
• initial coin offering
• meme coin
• sandwich coin
• the other/opposite/flip side of the coin
• toss/flip a coin
• two sides of the same coin

Rhymes for coin

• coyne
• groin
• join
• koine
• loin
• moine
• quoin
• adjoin
• benzoin
• bitcoin
• conjoin
• enjoin

Kids Definition

coin

1 of 3 noun

ˈkȯin 

1

: a piece of metal put out by a government authority as money

2

: metal money

three dollars in coin

coin

2 of 3 verb

1

a

: to make (a coin) especially by stamping : mint

b

: to convert (metal) into coins

2

: create, invent

coin a phrase

coiner noun

coin

3 of 3 adjective

1

: of or relating to coins

a coin show

2

: operated by coins

a laundromat's coin washers