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• sterling
  sterling

  adjective

  of, relating to, or noting British money.
• Sterling
  Sterling

  noun

  a city in NW Illinois.

sterling

¹ American  

[stur-ling] / ˈstɜr lɪŋ /

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

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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 American  

[stur-ling] / ˈstɜr lɪŋ /

noun

1. a city in NW Illinois.

2. a city in NE Colorado.

3. a male given name.

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sterling ¹ British  

/ 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

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adjective

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

   sterling quality

Sterling ² British  

/ ˈstɜːlɪŋ /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• sterlingness
  noun
• sterlingly
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of sterling

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

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Explanation

Sterling is British money, but it also describes anything of very high quality. A sterling report card has all A’s, and sterling manners are needed for a visit with the Queen of England. Sterling is a word for British currency, and although the jury is still out, the word sterling may be from the Middle English word for "star," sterre from the stars that appeared in the design of certain Norman (really old British) coins. Sterling can still refer to money, but it also describes something great. A sterling reputation is a flawless, immaculate reputation.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sterling Sterling

USC still turned the sterling field position into points.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 29, 2026

"He's showing he's not fazed by what Filip brings with his experience and sterling amateur background. He's up for this, alight and on fire."

From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026

Of such solid stuff was the pound sterling made that nobody seems to have asked for an inflation-escalator clause.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

Former Census Bureau senior executive Amy O'Hara called the paper an abuse of the agency's "sterling reputation for high-quality analysis."

From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026

I go through the box and find Papa’s sterling silver pocket watch and rub the figure of the fisherman standing in a rowboat.

From "Shouting at the Rain" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Sterling rose to a one-month high against the euro following upwardly revised U.K. economic growth data and after Prime Minister Andy Burnham promised fiscal discipline and improved ties with the EU.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026

Sterling is also at risk of falling as the budget draws nearer, they said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026

The Sun also reports on the story following the court case at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court, describing it as a "Sterling mess".

From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026

Former England footballer Raheem Sterling has admitted dangerous driving after he crashed a Lamborghini into motorway barriers in May.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

Sterling started to roam and stay out nights.

From "Bad Boy" by Walter Dean Myers

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Related Words

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

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