# sterling

/ˈstɝɫɪŋ/ (US) · /stˈɜːlɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sterling
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. British currency

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

the official money used in the United Kingdom.

For teachers: 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'.

### 2. excellent quality

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

used to describe someone's work or character when it is excellent and reliable.

For teachers: 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'.

### 3. silver alloy

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a high-quality type of silver used for jewelry and expensive spoons or forks.

For teachers: 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'.

## Examples

- The value of sterling fell against the dollar today.
- International investors often hold sterling as a reserve currency due to the historical stability of the British banking system.
- 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.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.