plural of coin
"The jar at the bus stop was filled with coins left by grateful passengers."
In plain English: Coins are small, round pieces of metal that people use as money to buy things.
"I found a few old coins in my pocket while cleaning out my bag."
Usage: Use "coins" to refer to multiple small metal discs used as currency or other tokens of value. Avoid using it when you mean singular items like specific medals or buttons unless they are made of metal and function similarly to money.
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of coin
"He coins a new phrase every time he tells a joke at the party."
In plain English: To coin something means to invent a new word or phrase and start using it yourself.
"He decided to coin a new phrase to describe the strange weather."
Usage: Do not use "coins" to mean flipping physical currency; that action is called tossing or flipping coins. Instead, reserve this third-person verb form for describing someone who invents new words, phrases, or slang.
plural of Coin
"She sorted through her pocket change and pulled out five silver coins to buy an ice cream cone."
Derived from the Latin cuneus meaning wedge, this term originally referred to the wedge-shaped metal pieces used as currency in ancient Lydia before they were minted into round discs. The shape was likely chosen because it could be easily cut or wedged for testing purity and weight.