sterling

IPA/ˈstɜːlɪŋ/

KK[stˈɚlɪŋ]IPA/ˈstɜːrlɪŋ/

1.nounB1

Definition

the official money used in the United Kingdom, with the pound as its main unit

Example

Before her trip to London, Dewi exchanged her euros for sterling at the bank.

collocation: exchanged [currency] for sterling

The price list showed costs in sterling, so American tourists calculated the dollar value.

collocation: in sterling

Common collocations

in sterling
pound sterling
value of sterling
sterling area

Synonyms

pound
everyday word for UK currency; 'sterling' is more formal and refers to the monetary system
pound sterling
the full official name of the currency
GBP
the three-letter currency code used in finance and exchange rates

Usage Note

Uncountable — do not say 'a sterling' or 'sterlings'. The full official name is 'pound sterling', but it is commonly shortened to 'sterling' in financial and travel contexts.

Common Mistakes

I have twenty sterlings in my wallet.

I have twenty pounds in my wallet.

sterling is uncountable; use 'pounds' for the countable currency unit.

Can I pay with sterling?

Can I pay in sterling?

the correct preposition after 'pay' is 'in' when referring to a currency.

IPA/ˈstɜː.lɪŋ/

KK[stˈɚlɪŋ]IPA/ˈstɝː.lɪŋ/

sterlingpositive
more sterlingcomparative
most sterlingsuperlative

1.adjectiveB2

Definition

describing silver that meets an official standard of purity — sterling silver contains 92.5% pure silver mixed with copper or other metals for durability

Example

Xiu chose a sterling silver bracelet for her sister's wedding because it lasts long.

collocation: sterling silver [item]

The jewellery box held sterling silver spoons dating from the late nineteenth century.

Common collocations

sterling silver
sterling silver necklace
sterling silver cutlery
925 silver

Synonyms

hallmarked silver
silver that has been tested and stamped with an official purity mark
925 silver
common alternative name for sterling silver, referring to the 925 parts per thousand purity

Grammar Patterns

sterling silver + noun

Usage Note

Only used before a noun (attributive), almost always with the word 'silver'. The '925' hallmark stamped on an item guarantees it is sterling silver.

Common Mistakes

This ring is sterling.

This ring is sterling silver.

'sterling' alone is not used as a predicate adjective for the metal; you must say 'sterling silver'.

This bracelet is pure silver.' (when it is actually 92.5%)

This bracelet is sterling silver, not pure silver.

sterling is an alloy, not 99.9% pure silver.

2.adjectiveB2

Definition

of the highest standard or quality — used to praise someone's work, character, or actions as admirable and reliable

Example

Ada received a letter of thanks for her sterling work on the school fundraising project.

collocation: sterling work

The firefighter's sterling bravery saved three families from the burning apartment building.

Common collocations

sterling work
sterling efforts
sterling reputation
sterling character
sterling service

Synonyms

first-rate
less formal and broader in use — can describe many things, not just human qualities
exemplary
more formal, often used for behaviour that serves as a model
top-notch
informal; covers a wide range of things from skills to products

Antonyms

poor
opposite in quality
substandard
below the expected level

Grammar Patterns

sterling + abstract noun (work, efforts, reputation, character)

Usage Note

Nearly always used before a noun — you say 'sterling work' or 'sterling reputation', not 'Her work is sterling'. Collocates strongly with abstract nouns (work, efforts, character, reputation, service).

Common Mistakes

He did a sterling job.' (acceptable but very informal)

He did sterling work.

'sterling job' is an emerging informal usage; the traditional collocation is 'sterling work'.

The pizza was sterling.

The pizza was excellent.

'sterling' is reserved for human qualities and efforts, not food or objects.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three terms refer to UK currency, but they differ in formality and usage. 'Pound' is the everyday word used in shops and casual conversation ('It costs ten pounds'). 'Pound sterling' is the formal full name, used in official documents and financial contracts. 'GBP' (Great British Pound) is the three-letter ISO currency code used in banking, exchange rates, and international trading. 'Sterling' itself refers to the monetary system rather than a unit — you say 'paid in sterling', not 'paid in pound'. In travel contexts, 'sterling' is common when contrasting with other currencies ('Do you accept sterling or only euros?').

pound ↗pound sterlingGBP

Common collocations

Phrases

pound sterling

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

The word comes from Old English 'steorra' (star) plus the suffix '-ling', meaning 'little star'. Early Norman silver pennies were stamped with a small star, and people called them 'sterlings'. Over time, the name shifted from the coin itself to the currency system. Because the royal mint maintained a high standard of silver purity in these coins, 'sterling' later took on the meaning of 'genuine, of reliable quality' — first for silver and then for anything excellent.

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sterling

sterling — noun

1. the official money used in the United Kingdom, with the pound as its main unit

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

sterling — adjective

1. describing silver that meets an official standard of purity — sterling silver co

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. of the highest standard or quality — used to praise someone's work, character, o

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

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