sterling

1 of 2

noun

ster·​ling ˈstər-liŋ 

1

: British money

2

: sterling silver or articles of it

sterling

2 of 2

adjective

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

sterlingly adverb

sterlingness noun

Synonyms

Adjective

• excellent
• superb
• stellar
• terrific
• lovely
• wonderful
• great
• beautiful
• fantastic
• fabulous
• awesome
• fine
• marvellous
• prime
• marvelous
• quality

Examples of sterling in a Sentence

Noun

a drop in the value of sterling

Adjective

a sterling example of democracy at work

credited the win to the pitcher's sterling performance on the mound

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

According to Janet Mui, head of market analysis at RBC Brewin Dolphin, much of the pound's upward trajectory has more to do with underlying dollar weakness than faith in sterling itself. —Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 26 June 2025

That drove sterling lower against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday, with U.K. borrowing costs also broadly declining. —Ian King, CNBC, 11 June 2025

Adjective

This week’s crop of new songs features two sterling collaborations: the first, between Americana music darling Sierra Ferrell and blues-country singer Kashus Culpepper. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 16 June 2025

The Flatrock also grants tight temperature control between zones and sterling wind shielding on top and under the burners. —Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 14 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, silver penny, probably from Old English *steorling, from Old English steorra star + -ling entry 1 — more at star

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing sterling

• sterling area
• sterling bloc

Rhymes for sterling

• burling
• curling
• hurling
• pearling
• sperling
• swirling
• twirling
• whirling
• yearling
• unfurling

Kids Definition

sterling

1 of 2 noun

ster·​ling ˈstər-liŋ 

1

: British money

2

: sterling silver or articles of it

sterling

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of or relating to British sterling

2

: being or made of an alloy of 925 parts of silver with 75 parts of copper

sterling silver

3

: excellent

Etymology

Noun

so called from the phrase "a pound sterling," meaning the British pound as a monetary unit, but originally "a pound (by weight) of sterlings," from Middle English sterling "silver penny"