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sterlina

pound sterling

noun ster-LEE-nah Rare
Numbers & Measures Money

Origin: From medieval Latin libra sterlingorum; the adjective sterling (of uncertain origin) was adopted into Italian as the noun sterlina.

Also means

pound (currency)

Usage Note

Sterlina refers specifically to the British pound (GBP). The symbol is £ and the plural is regular: le sterline. Learners sometimes confuse it with lira sterlina (an older full form) or with lira (Italy's pre-euro currency). In finance, sterlina is always feminine.

Examples

"Il cambio euro-sterlina è cambiato oggi."

Natural Translation

The euro-pound exchange rate changed today.

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