sterling

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, historical, uncountable) A silver penny.
2. (countable, uncountable) The currency of the United Kingdom, based on the pound sterling.
3. (countable, uncountable) Former British gold or silver coinage of a standard fineness: for gold 0.91666 and for silver 0.925.
4. (countable, uncountable) Sterling silver, or articles made from this material.

Adj

1. (not-comparable) Of, or relating to British currency, or the former British coinage.
2. (not-comparable) Of, relating to, or made from sterling silver.
3. Of acknowledged worth or influence; high quality; authoritative.
4. Genuine; true; pure; of great value or excellence.

Synonyms

pound

💷

pound sterling

genuine

quid

excellent

super

of standard purity

British pound

superlative

dandy

splendid

pure

greatest

high

immaculate

innocent

😇

jimdandy

keen

marvelous

nicker

nifty

outstanding

peachy

punt

quality

select

simon-pure

slap-up

solid

splendiferous

sterling silver

stout

stunning

substantial

superior

swell

tops

true blue

undiluted

unpolluted

vestal

worthy

of full value

of perfect standard

British pound sterling

extraordinaire

jimhickey

sov

admirable

true born

Translations

lliura esterlina

Pfund Sterling

sterlina

💷

στερλίνα

sterlin

superior

solide

libra estrelina

جنيه إسترليني

fin

🔚

Pfund

جنيه

💷

esterlí

sterlîn

livre sterling

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈstɜː.lɪŋ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: sterling

In summary

Possibly from Old English *steorling, from steorra (“star”) and -ling, in reference to the stars that appeared on certain English pennies. Alternatively, the first element may be *stēre, meaning “strong” or “stout” (compare the etymology of solidus).