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DictionaryRoot: sterling
Middle English

sterling

English silver penny

1 / 1
noun

sterling

British money based on the pound

The invoice lists the total in sterling.

Etymology
sterlingMiddle EnglishEnglish silver penny

Sterling first named an English silver penny and then money of the associated standard. The term broadened to British currency generally; the coin name’s deeper origin is disputed.

More examples

  • She exchanged dollars for sterling.
  • The account held sterling.
  • They paid the supplier in sterling.

Forms

sterling

Similar words

pound
A unit of the currency rather than the system collectively.
currency
The broader category of money used by a country.