adjective
Common
sterling
STUR-lihng
Sterling (adjective) means relating to the official currency of the United Kingdom, the pound sterling. Example: “The invoice was quoted in pounds sterling.”
adjective
1
Relating to the official currency of the United Kingdom, the pound sterling.
"The invoice was quoted in pounds sterling."
2
Of very high quality or trustworthiness; outstanding.
"The team did a sterling job organising the whole event."
"She has a sterling reputation in the industry."
"His sterling performance earned him a standing ovation."
3
Describing silver of a recognized standard of purity, or objects made from it.
"Grandad gave me a sterling spoon with my name on it."
"The jeweller stamped the sterling ring to show its purity."
"She wore a sterling silver bracelet."
How to use sterling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGenuine and of high standard — used for British currency, pure silver, and (figuratively) excellent character or work.
Common pairings
pound sterling
sterling silver
sterling reputation
sterling work
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more sterling
- Superlative
- most sterling
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The invoice was quoted in pounds _____.
Etymology
Possibly from Old English steorra ("star"), referring to the small star design once stamped on English silver pennies.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for sterling
See all rhymes for sterling →Frequently asked questions
What does “sterling” mean?
The word “sterling” means relating to the official currency of the United Kingdom, the pound sterling. In plain terms, genuine and of high standard — used for British currency, pure silver, and (figuratively) excellent character or work.
How do you pronounce “sterling”?
“Sterling” is pronounced STUR-lihng (/ˈstɜɹlɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sterling” in a sentence?
Here is “sterling” used in a sentence: “The invoice was quoted in pounds sterling.”
What part of speech is “sterling”?
“Sterling” is an adjective.
Where does the word “sterling” come from?
The word “sterling” comes from Old English. Possibly from Old English steorra ("star"), referring to the small star design once stamped on English silver pennies.
Is “sterling” a common word?
“Sterling” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “sterling” have?
“Sterling” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to the official currency of the United Kingdom, the pound sterling.
What is the difference between sterling and pound sterling?
Sterling is the name of the official currency of the United Kingdom, while pound sterling names its main unit. In practice 'sterling' is often used for the currency as a whole, especially in finance, and 'the pound' for individual amounts.
What is the difference between sterling silver and pure silver?
Sterling silver is an alloy that is 92.5 percent silver mixed with other metals, usually copper, for durability, which is why it is often stamped 925. Pure or fine silver is almost entirely silver and much softer, so sterling silver is stronger and better suited to everyday items.
