Sterling Meaning
/ˈstɜːlɪŋ/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAn English silver penny first introduced by the Normans.
nounA penny issued in other countries, such as Scotland.
Sentence Examples
His supervisor gave him a sterling recommendation.
Is this sterling silver?
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The chef is known for her ____ reputation, meaning she has an excellent record.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She received a ____ silver necklace from her grandmother as a gift for her graduation this year.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English sterling, 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).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Nummus […] is taken for braſſe pens, or els pieces of ſiluer of the valu of a dandiprat or i. d. ob. a pece or there about, ſo that yͤ thouſand peces wer moche about the ſomme of twentie nobles sterlynges [i.e., nobles of sterlings]."
— 1564 February, Erasmus, “The Saiynges of Augustus Caeser”, in Nicolas Udall [i.e., Nicholas Udall], transl., Apophthegmes, that is to Saie, Prompte, Quicke, Wittie and Sentẽcious Saiynges, […], London: […] Ihon Kingston, →OCLC, book II, folio 178, recto, paragraph 38, marginal note:
""I do not fear your curses," said Philippe [Philip II of France]. "You have no right to pronounce them on the realm of France. Your words smell of English sterlings.""
— 1868, Charlotte M[ary] Yonge, “Cameo XXIII. The Rebellious Eaglets.”, in Cameos from English History: From Rollo to Edward II […], London: Macmillan and Co., →OCLC, page 103:
"In England sterlings and nobles were struck, both of them often counterfeited."
— 1911, August Octav Ritter von Loehr, “Numismatics”, in Charles G[eorge] Herbermann [et al.], editors, The Catholic Encyclopedia […], volume XI, New York, N.Y.: Robert Appleton Company, →OCLC, page 155, column 2:
"Ophe[lia]. He hath my Lord of late made many tenders / Of his affection to me. / […] / Pol[onius]. Marry I vvill teach you, thinke your ſelfe a babie / That you haue tane [taken] theſe tenders for true pay / VVhich are not ſterling, tender your ſelfe more dearely […]"
— c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, The Tragicall Historie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke: […] (Second Quarto), London: […] I[ames] R[oberts] for N[icholas] L[ing] […], published 1604, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii], signature [C4], verso:
"[D]rop the ten ſhillings into this Baſon; […] So, iſt right Iacke? iſt ſterling?"
— 1601 (first performance), Thomas Dekker, Satiro-mastix. Or The Untrussing of the Humorous Poet. […], London: […] [Edward Allde] for Edward White, […], published 1602, →OCLC, signature D2, recto:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The chef is known for her ____ reputation, meaning she has an excellent record.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She received a ____ silver necklace from her grandmother as a gift for her graduation this year.