The spelling of the word "steril" is a common source of confusion for many English learners. The correct spelling is "sterile," with a long "i" sound as in "eye" and a silent "e" at the end. This pronunciation is best represented in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /ˈstɛr.aɪl/. To avoid confusion, it is important to remember that the word does not have a double "l" as is commonly assumed. By mastering the correct spelling and pronunciation of "sterile," learners can correctly convey their intended meaning.