sterling

¹

[stur-ling]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or noting British money.

   The sterling equivalent is #5.50.

2. (of silver) having the standard fineness of 0.925.

3. made of silver of this fineness.

   a sterling teapot.

4. thoroughly excellent.

   a man of sterling worth.

   Synonyms: first-rate, worthy, honorable, noble

noun

1. British currency.

2. the standard of fineness for gold and silver coin in the United Kingdom, 0.91666 for gold and 0.500 for silver.

3. Also called sterling silver. silver having a fineness of 0.925, now used especially in the manufacture of table utensils, jewelry, etc.

4. manufactured articles of sterling silver.

5. sterling flatware.

Sterling

²

[stur-ling]

noun

1. a city in NW Illinois.

2. a city in NE Colorado.

3. a male given name.

sterling

¹

/ ˈstɜːlɪŋ /

noun

1. 1. British money

      pound sterling

   2. ( as modifier )

      sterling reserves

2. the official standard of fineness of British coins: for gold 0.91666 and for silver 0.925

3. 1. short for sterling silver

   2. ( as modifier )

      a sterling bracelet

4. an article or articles manufactured from sterling silver

5. a former British silver penny

adjective

1. (prenominal) genuine and reliable; first-class

   sterling quality

Sterling

²

/ ˈstɜːlɪŋ /

noun

1. Peter. born 1960, Australian rugby league player: played 18 matches for Australia (1982–88)

Other Word Forms

• sterlingly adverb
• sterlingness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sterling¹

1250–1300; Middle English: name of a silver coin ( star, -ling ¹ ), with reference to the little star on some of the mintages

Word History and Origins

Origin of sterling¹

C13: probably from Old English steorra _star + _-ling ¹ ; referring to a small star on early Norman pennies; related to Old French esterlin

Example Sentences

A number of economists, mainly on the right, have in recent weeks raised the prospect of a version of the 1976 sterling crisis repeating itself.

Read more on BBC

“Happy Together,” a song rejected by a number of pop groups, revived the group’s fortunes, thanks in part to a sterling arrangement masterminded by new bassist Chip Douglas.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Judge Lady Ross KC said although the sums of money stolen were not great, the seriousness of the crimes "could not be measured in pounds sterling."

Read more on BBC

So should we have been surprised when fan sites and social media platforms, built to allow free, unfettered and quite often anonymous discourse, became equally at risk for humanity’s less sterling qualities?

Read more on Los Angeles Times

There will be relief that the markets are calm for now, with sterling and stock markets at multi-year highs.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• admirable 
• excellent 
• first-rate 
• magnificent 
• marvelous 
• outstanding 
• splendid 
• stunning