centimetre: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to formal. Common in scientific, technical, medical, and everyday measurement contexts.
Quick answer
What does “centimetre” mean?
A metric unit of length equal to one hundredth of a metre.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A metric unit of length equal to one hundredth of a metre.
A small but often significant measurement, used for precision in various contexts, or figuratively to describe a minimal, incremental amount.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: British English uses 'centimetre', American English uses 'centimeter'. Both refer to the same unit.
Connotations
Identical; purely technical/measurement-based. No differential cultural connotations.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties within metric-system contexts. In the US, inches may be used more frequently in informal, non-scientific discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “centimetre” in a Sentence
[number] centimetre(s) [preposition] [noun] (e.g., 5 centimetres of snow)[number]-centimetre [noun] (e.g., a 30-centimetre ruler)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “centimetre” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The centimetre measurement is more precise for this tailoring.
American English
- The centimeter measurement is more precise for this tailoring.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in manufacturing, engineering, and design specifications.
Academic
Standard in scientific writing, mathematics, geography, and medicine.
Everyday
Common in DIY, clothing sizes, weather reports (rain/snow depth), and describing heights of small objects.
Technical
Precise measurement in engineering, machining, meteorology, and medical imaging.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “centimetre”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “centimetre”
- Misspelling as 'centermeter' or 'sentimeter'.
- Using plural 'centimetres' with a singular number (e.g., 'one centimetres').
- Confusing with 'millimetre' or 'metre' due to metric prefix scale.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The correct abbreviation is 'cm'. Note there is no full stop in standard scientific usage (e.g., 10 cm).
Yes, but the spelling is 'centimeter'. It is standard in science, medicine, and engineering. In everyday conversation, imperial units like inches are often used informally.
Yes, it can be used hyperbolically to indicate a very small margin or amount, e.g., 'He was within a centimetre of winning the race.'
A centimetre (cm) is 10 millimetres (mm). There are 100 centimetres in one metre.
A metric unit of length equal to one hundredth of a metre.
Centimetre is usually neutral to formal. common in scientific, technical, medical, and everyday measurement contexts. in register.
Centimetre: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɛntɪmiːtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɛntɪmiːtər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Within a centimetre of (one's life): very close to a severe outcome, e.g., 'He beat him within a centimetre of his life.'”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CENTIpede: it has many legs (100), and a CENTImeter is one hundredth (1/100) of a metre.
Conceptual Metaphor
A UNIT/STANDARD FOR PRECISION; A SMALL MARGIN/AMOUNT (e.g., 'win by a centimetre').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'centimetre' LEAST likely to be used?