ENGLISH
REFERENCE

sterling

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced US //ˈstɝɫɪŋ// UK //stˈɜːlɪŋ// ster·ling Archaic

n. the official name for British money, like the pound. You use this word when talking about the value of the currency in business or finance.

n. the British currency system, specifically the pound sterling. Frequently used in financial and economic contexts to distinguish the currency from other units of weight or value.


SIMPLE

The value of sterling fell against the dollar today.

CONTEXTUAL

International investors often hold sterling as a reserve currency due to the historical stability of the British banking system.

COMPLEX

Fluctuations in the value of sterling can significantly impact the cost of imports, creating inflationary pressure within the domestic economy if the currency remains weak for an extended period.

Synonyms
Usage

Typically used without an article when referring to the currency as a whole.

© 2026 English Reference