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1

sterling

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noun ster·ling \ˈstər-liŋ\

Definition of sterling

  1. 1 :  British money

  2. 2 :  sterling silver or articles of it

See sterling defined for English-language learners

See sterling defined for kids

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Examples of sterling in a Sentence

  1. a drop in the value of sterling

Origin and Etymology of sterling

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


First Known Use: 14th century

2

sterling

adjective ster·ling

Definition of sterling

  1. 1a :  of, relating to, or calculated in terms of British sterlingb :  payable in sterling

  2. 2a 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 copperb :  made of sterling silver

  3. 3 :  conforming to the highest standard sterling character a sterling record of achievement

sterlingly

adverb

sterlingness

noun

See sterling defined for English-language learners

Examples of sterling in a Sentence

  1. a sterling example of democracy at work

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

15th Century

First Known Use of sterling

15th century

sterling Synonyms

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

Phrases Related to STERLING

Related Phrases

STERLING Defined for English Language Learners

sterling

play
noun

Definition of sterling for English Language Learners

  • : silver that is 92 percent pure

  • : British money

sterling

adjective

Definition of sterling for English Language Learners

  • : made of silver that is 92 percent pure

  • : very good

STERLING Defined for Kids

1

sterling

play
noun ster·ling \ˈstər-liŋ\

Definition of sterling for Students

  1. 1 :  British money

  2. 2 :  sterling silver :  articles made from sterling silver

2

sterling

play
adjective ster·ling

Definition of sterling for Students

  1. 1 :  of or relating to British sterling

  2. 2 :  being or made of a specific alloy that is mostly silver with a little copper sterling silver

  3. 3 :  excellent a sterling example

Learn More about sterling

  1. See words that rhyme with sterling Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sterling Spanish Central: Translation of sterling Nglish: Translation of sterling for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sterling for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sterling

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Examples: sterling in a Sentence