sterling

¹

[ stur-ling ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or noting British money:

   The sterling equivalent is #5.50.

2. (of silver) having the standard fineness of 0.925.
3. made of silver of this fineness:

   a sterling teapot.

4. thoroughly excellent:

   a man of sterling worth.

   Synonyms: first-rate, worthy, honorable, noble

noun

1. British currency.
2. the standard of fineness for gold and silver coin in the United Kingdom, 0.91666 for gold and 0.500 for silver.
3. Also called sterling silver. silver having a fineness of 0.925, now used especially in the manufacture of table utensils, jewelry, etc.
4. manufactured articles of sterling silver.
5. sterling flatware.

Sterling

²

[ stur-ling ]

noun

1. a city in NW Illinois.
2. a city in NE Colorado.
3. a male given name.

sterling

¹

/ ˈstɜːlɪŋ /

noun

1. 1. British money

      pound sterling

   2. ( as modifier )

      sterling reserves

2. the official standard of fineness of British coins: for gold 0.91666 and for silver 0.925
3. 1. short for sterling silver
   2. ( as modifier )

      a sterling bracelet

4. an article or articles manufactured from sterling silver
5. a former British silver penny

adjective

1. prenominal genuine and reliable; first-class

   sterling quality

Sterling

²

/ ˈstɜːlɪŋ /

noun

1. SterlingPeter1960MAustralianSPORT AND GAMES: rugby league player Peter. born 1960, Australian rugby league player: played 18 matches for Australia (1982–88)

Other Words From

• sterling·ly adverb
• sterling·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sterling¹

1250–1300; Middle English: name of a silver coin ( star, -ling ¹ ), with reference to the little star on some of the mintages

Word History and Origins

Origin of sterling¹

C13: probably from Old English steorra star + -ling ¹; referring to a small star on early Norman pennies; related to Old French esterlin

Example Sentences

With a sterling record of busting down doors and arresting armed suspects over her decade in SWAT, Los Angeles police Lt.

From Los Angeles Times

Stopping by Amazon's live election coverage and speaking to host Brian Williams, the Clinton campaign adviser said that "early indications here are not sterling."

From Salon

She did, however, boast a sterling right-wing legal pedigree, including service as a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

From Los Angeles Times

They also found two bags filled with pound sterling bank notes.

From BBC

The strange electricity of waiting is conveyed with every shot, whether it holds one, two or all three of its sterling leads in the frame.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• admirable
• excellent
• first-rate
• magnificent
• marvelous
• outstanding
• splendid
• stunning