Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
Sterling is the money system of Great Britain.
The stamps had to be paid for in ~.
N-UNCOUNT
2.
Sterling means very good in quality; used to describe someone’s work or character. (FORMAL)
Those are ~ qualities to be admired in anyone.
= excellent, outstanding
ADJ: usu ADJ n approval