sterling
sterling — 名詞
1. the official money used in the United Kingdom, with the pound as its main unit
英鎊
英國的官方貨幣
the official money used in the United Kingdom, with the pound as its main unit
Before her trip to London, Dewi exchanged her euros for sterling at the bank.
去倫敦旅行前，Dewi 在銀行把歐元換成了英鎊。
collocation: exchanged [currency] for sterling
The price list showed costs in sterling, so American tourists calculated the dollar value.
價目表上的金額都以英鎊顯示，美國遊客得自己換算成美元。
collocation: in sterling
Talia paid the London hotel bill in sterling using the cash she had withdrawn.
Talia 用提領出來的現金，以英鎊支付了倫敦的旅館帳單。
International investors watch the value of sterling closely against the euro and the dollar.
國際投資人密切關注英鎊兌歐元與美元的匯率變動。
- 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
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
sterling — 形容詞
1. describing silver that meets an official standard of purity — sterling silver co
純銀的
純度達92.5%的標準銀
describing silver that meets an official standard of purity — sterling silver contains 92.5% pure silver mixed with copper or other metals for durability
Xiu chose a sterling silver bracelet for her sister's wedding because it lasts long.
Xiu 選了一條純銀手鍊送給姊姊當結婚禮物，因為它很耐用。
collocation: sterling silver [item]
The jewellery box held sterling silver spoons dating from the late nineteenth century.
首飾盒裡裝有一組十九世紀末期的純銀湯匙。
Unlike pure silver, sterling is mixed with copper to make it hard for daily use.
純銀不同於999純銀，它摻了銅以增加硬度，適合日常使用。
David checked the tiny '925' mark inside the ring to confirm it was genuine sterling silver.
David 檢查戒指內側的「925」小印記，確認它是真正的純銀。
- 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
文法句型
sterling silver + noun
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive), almost always with the word 'silver'. The '925' hallmark stamped on an item guarantees it is sterling silver.
常見錯誤
2. of the highest standard or quality — used to praise someone's work, character, o
卓越的
品質或品格極高的
of the highest standard or quality — used to praise someone's work, character, or actions as admirable and reliable
Ada received a letter of thanks for her sterling work on the school fundraising project.
Ada 收到了一封感謝信，肯定她在學校募款專案中的卓越表現。
collocation: sterling work
The firefighter's sterling bravery saved three families from the burning apartment building.
那位消防員展現卓越的勇氣，從失火的公寓大樓裡救出了三個家庭。
Mateo built a sterling reputation as a fair judge over twenty years on the bench.
Mateo 擔任法官二十年，公正的形象為他樹立了卓越的名聲。
The volunteers received a community award for their sterling efforts throughout the flooding crisis.
這些志工在洪災期間付出卓越的努力，因而獲頒社區貢獻獎。
- 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
- poor
opposite in quality
- substandard
below the expected level
文法句型
sterling + abstract noun (work, efforts, reputation, character)
用法筆記
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).