sterling

²sterling

adj

Definition of STERLING

1

a : of, relating to, or calculated in terms of British sterling b : payable in sterling

2

a of silver : having a fixed standard of purity usually defined legally as represented by an alloy of 925 parts of silver with 75 parts of copper b : made of sterling silver

3

: conforming to the highest standard <sterling character> <a sterling record of achievement>

— ster·ling·ly adverb

— ster·ling·ness noun

Examples of STERLING

1. a sterling example of democracy at work
2. <credited the win to the pitcher's sterling performance on the mound>

First Known Use of STERLING

15th century

Related to STERLING

Synonyms: A-OK, A1, awesome, bang-up, banner, beautiful, blue-chip, blue-ribbon, boffo, bonny (also bonnie) [chiefly British], boss [slang], brag, brave, bully, bumper, capital, choice, classic, cool [slang], corking, crackerjack, cracking, dandy, divine, dope [slang], down [slang], dynamite, fab, fabulous, famous, fantabulous [slang], fantastic, fine, first-class, first-rate, first-string, five-star, four-star, frontline, gangbusters (also gangbuster), gilt-edged (or gilt-edge), gone [slang], grand, great, groovy, heavenly, high-class, hot, hype [slang], immense, jim-dandy, keen, lovely, marvelous (or marvellous), mean, neat, nifty, noble, number one (also No. 1), numero uno, out-of-sight [slang], par excellence, peachy, peachy keen, phat [slang], prime, primo [slang], prize, prizewinning, quality, radical [slang], righteous [slang], sensational, slick, splendid, stellar, excellent, superb, superior, superlative, supernal, swell, terrific, tip-top, top, top-flight, top-notch, top-of-the-line, topping [chiefly British], top-shelf, unsurpassed, wizard [chiefly British], wonderful

Antonyms: atrocious, awful, execrable, lousy, pathetic, poor, rotten, terrible, vile, wretched

Related Words: acceptable, adequate, all right, decent, good, OK (or okay), passable, satisfactory, tolerable; better, exceptional, fancy, high-grade, high-test, premium, select, special, superfine; classical, standard, traditional

Near Antonyms: bad, inferior, low-grade, substandard, unsatisfactory; mediocre, middling, second-class, second-rate

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