centimo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal (financial/numismatic), Historical
Quick answer
What does “centimo” mean?
A unit of currency equal to one hundredth of the basic monetary unit in several Spanish-speaking countries (e.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A unit of currency equal to one hundredth of the basic monetary unit in several Spanish-speaking countries (e.g., one hundredth of a peso, colon, or bolivar).
Informally, a term for a very small amount of money or something of little value. In historical contexts, a former coin of Spain.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is used identically in both varieties when referring to foreign currency. British English might encounter it in historical contexts of Spanish coinage; American English might encounter it more frequently in relation to Latin American economies.
Connotations
Neutral financial/geographic specificity. No inherent positive or negative connotation.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general use. Slightly higher in specialized financial publications, travel writing about Latin America, or historical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “centimo” in a Sentence
[Noun] is/are worth X centimosIt costs [number] centimosto pay/charge [in] centimosVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in international finance reports detailing Latin American currencies.
Academic
Appears in economic history, numismatics, or geographical studies of Spanish-speaking regions.
Everyday
Virtually unused except by travelers returning from countries using centimos or in metaphorical expressions for 'almost nothing'.
Technical
Precise term in currency conversion tables and financial databases.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “centimo”
- Mispronunciation: /senˈtiː.moʊ/ (stress on second syllable).
- Plural: Using 'centimoes' instead of standard 'centimos'.
- Capitalising the word (it is not a proper noun).
- Using it generically for any small coin outside Spanish-speaking contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Spain adopted the Euro in 2002. The centimo was a subunit of the former Spanish Peseta.
The plural is 'centimos'.
Functionally identical (both represent 1/100th), but 'cent' is used for currencies like the dollar and euro, while 'centimo' is specific to certain Latin American currencies and the former Spanish peseta.
Only metaphorically (e.g., 'I don't have a centimo to my name'). For literal use, it should refer to the specific subunit of the relevant currency.
A unit of currency equal to one hundredth of the basic monetary unit in several Spanish-speaking countries (e.
Centimo is usually formal (financial/numismatic), historical in register.
Centimo: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsen.tɪ.məʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsen.təˌmoʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not worth a red centimo”
- “Every last centimo”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
CENTimo is a CENT (1/100th) of another currency, like a peso or colon. Think: 'CENTury' has 100 years, a CENTimo is 1/100th of a unit.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS A MEASURED UNIT / WORTH IS QUANTITY.
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following countries is 'centimo' NOT a subunit of the main currency?