Word
sterling
Phoneticsster·ling, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈstɝɫɪŋ/
UK/stˈɜːlɪŋ/
Definitions
01British currency
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun British English
n. the official money used in the United Kingdom.
n. the currency of the United Kingdom, specifically referring to the pound sterling.
“The price of the car was ten thousand pounds sterling.”
“Investors watched the value of sterling closely as the central bank prepared to announce its latest decision on interest rates.”
Usage
Often used in formal financial contexts or to distinguish the British pound from other currencies named 'pound'.
Synonyms
02excellent quality
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. used to describe someone's work or character when it is excellent and reliable.
adj. of excellent or superior quality; having proven worth or reliability.
“The teacher praised the student for her sterling performance on the final exam.”
“The retiring CEO was celebrated for his sterling reputation and his unwavering commitment to ethical business practices over three decades.”
Teaching tip
This is a high-level, formal compliment. It is most commonly paired with nouns like 'reputation', 'service', 'work', or 'character'.
03silver alloy
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Technical
n. a high-quality type of silver used for jewelry and expensive spoons or forks.
n. an alloy of silver containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% of another metal, usually copper.
“She inherited a beautiful set of sterling spoons from her grandmother.”
“The artisan hallmarked the tray to certify that it was genuine sterling rather than silver-plated base metal.”
Usage
Commonly functions as a noun adjunct in the phrase 'sterling silver'.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Over $219bn (£162bn) of debt has already been issued this year by the US "hyperscalers" such as Google, Amazon and Meta, nearly a third of it in currencies other than the dollar, including sterling.” “Crafted from gold-plated sterling silver, the trophy was mounted on a lapis lazuli base.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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