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 of sterling

Adjective

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

Ohtani, the pitcher, allowed the first two home runs of his season but threw seven innings for the first time in three years to add to his sterling start of the season on the mound. —Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 6 May 2026

Years ago a friend visiting New Mexico went there and bought an antique sterling silver bell to tie around her cat’s neck, which seemed like something either Holly Golightly or Marie Antoinette would have done. —Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 28 Apr. 2026

Adjective

Beth and Rip’s primary antagonist in tending to their herd of Black Angus steer with, we’re repeatedly told, sterling genetics is one Beulah Jackson (Annette Bening). —Alison Herman, Variety, 14 May 2026

Highlights from the market included hand-appliquéd vests by Penny Singer; striking gold and gemstone bracelets by Kenneth Johnson; vibrant beadwork by Jovanna Poblano and Cole Forrest; geometric-pattern jackets by Pacha Arts; and sterling-silver rings by Cody Sanderson, among many others. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 11 May 2026

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"