sterling
adjective
of, relating to, or noting British money.
Showing results for sterling.
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sterilising.
sterling
1 American
[stur-ling]
/ ˈstɜr lɪŋ /
adjective
-
of, relating to, or noting British money.
The sterling equivalent is #5.50.
-
(of silver) having the standard fineness of 0.925.
-
made of silver of this fineness.
a sterling teapot.
-
thoroughly excellent.
a man of sterling worth.
- Synonyms:
- first-rate, worthy, honorable, noble
noun
-
British currency.
-
the standard of fineness for gold and silver coin in the United Kingdom, 0.91666 for gold and 0.500 for silver.
-
Also called sterling silver. silver having a fineness of 0.925, now used especially in the manufacture of table utensils, jewelry, etc.
-
manufactured articles of sterling silver.
-
sterling flatware.
Sterling
2
American
[stur-ling]
/ ˈstɜr lɪŋ /
noun
-
a city in NW Illinois.
-
a city in NE Colorado.
-
a male given name.
sterling
1
British
/ ˈstɜːlɪŋ /
noun
-
-
British money
pound sterling
-
( as modifier )
sterling reserves
-
-
the official standard of fineness of British coins: for gold 0.91666 and for silver 0.925
-
-
short for sterling silver
-
( as modifier )
a sterling bracelet
-
-
an article or articles manufactured from sterling silver
-
a former British silver penny
adjective
Sterling
2
British
/ ˈstɜːlɪŋ /
noun
Other Word Forms
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
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.
Vocabulary lists containing sterling
"The Gift of the Magi"
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"The Mixer," Vocabulary from the short story
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Thumbs Up: Synonyms for "Good"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Natalie Gallagher, the narrator of Sarah Anderson’s darkly comic debut, “Fallow,” has never possessed anything like a sterling work ethic.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
USC still turned the sterling field position into points.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 29, 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
Since then, sterling has broadly strengthened and taken advantage of a weaker dollar and is currently near the top of its post-Brexit range.
From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026
I need him to know why I have his sterling silver and Miss Celia’s zillion-carat ruby earrings in my hand every day.
From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett
Sterling was higher against the dollar, and Commerzbank said the pound could be vulnerable to falls, if the BOE refrains from raising interest rates Thursday, and at upcoming meetings.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026
A picture of Sterling on the day of the crash is splashed on the front.
From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026
Sterling rose against the dollar and against the euro after U.K.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026
Streatfeild’s inspiration was her sister Sterling, who was a tailback and free safety and now attends Vanderbilt.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026
Yesterday me, Wesley, and Sterling got up to do a cipher for Open Mike Friday and here come Steve, jumping up to join us.
From "Bronx Masquerade" by Nikki Grimes
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
