centesimal: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Formal
Quick answer
What does “centesimal” mean?
Relating to or denoting hundredths or division into hundred equal parts.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Relating to or denoting hundredths or division into hundred equal parts.
Pertaining to a scale, system, or measurement divided into 100 parts; used in contexts like mathematics, chemistry (for solution concentration), and occasionally in grading or statistical systems.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or application. Both varieties use the term identically in technical registers.
Connotations
Highly technical and precise in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low-frequency in both, with slight potential for higher occurrence in UK academic writing due to historical preference for certain classical adjective forms.
Grammar
How to Use “centesimal” in a Sentence
[be] + centesimal[follow/use] a centesimal [system/scale][divide/calculate] in centesimal [parts/units]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “centesimal” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The old French grading system was centesimal, ranging from 0 to 100.
- They performed a centesimal analysis of the alloy's composition.
American English
- The centesimal scale of the alcoholometer is standard in labs.
- A centesimal division of the circle was proposed but never adopted.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in mathematics, statistics, metrology, and historical scientific texts (e.g., 'centesimal thermometric scale').
Everyday
Not used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Primary domain. Used in precise measurement, chemistry (e.g., 'centesimal solution' meaning 1 gram of solute per 100 grams of solution), and some engineering contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “centesimal”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “centesimal”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “centesimal”
- Mispronouncing as /ˈsɛntəsɪməl/ (stress on first syllable). Correct stress is on the second syllable.
- Using it as a noun (e.g., 'a centesimal') instead of an adjective.
- Confusing it with 'centennial' (100-year anniversary).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Percent' (%) means 'per hundred' and is used to express a proportion. 'Centesimal' is an adjective describing a system or scale divided into 100 equal parts.
No, that is 'centennial'. 'Centesimal' relates to division into hundredths, not to periods of 100 years.
No, it is a very low-frequency, specialised term used almost exclusively in technical, scientific, or historical academic writing.
Systems based on other divisions, such as binary (base-2), decimal (base-10), or sexagesimal (base-60).
Relating to or denoting hundredths or division into hundred equal parts.
Centesimal is usually technical/formal in register.
Centesimal: in British English it is pronounced /senˈtɛsɪm(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /sɛnˈtɛsəməl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CENT' (as in one hundred cents in a dollar/ euro) + 'ESIMAL' (like in 'decimal' but for hundreds). It's the 'hundredths' version of decimal.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRECISION IS DIVISION INTO SMALL PARTS (where 'small' is defined as one-hundredth of the whole).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is 'centesimal' MOST likely to be used?