decimal
B2Neutral, but more common in technical, academic, and mathematical contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A number expressed in the base-ten system, especially one written with a decimal point separating the whole number from the fractional part (e.g., 10.5).
Relating to or based on the number ten; the system of decimal notation. Also refers to a fraction whose denominator is a power of ten, expressed using a decimal point.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a mathematical/technical term. As a noun, it most commonly refers to the number after the decimal point or the decimal system itself. As an adjective, it describes something related to that system (e.g., decimal currency).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In BrE, a 'decimal point' is often referred to simply as a 'point' in spoken language ("ten point five"). AmE also uses 'point'. The term is largely identical in technical usage.
Connotations
In BrE, 'decimalisation' (1971) is a specific historical reference to the change from pounds, shillings, and pence to a decimal currency. This connotation is absent in AmE.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects within mathematical/technical domains.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] + decimal: calculate to three decimals[adjective] + decimal: recurring decimal[preposition] + decimal: correct to two decimal placesVocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to three decimal places (meaning: with great precision)”
- “go decimal (historical, BrE: adopt decimal currency)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in finance for precise calculations, e.g., 'The interest rate is quoted to four decimal places.'
Academic
Fundamental in mathematics, science, and engineering for measurement and calculation.
Everyday
Common when discussing money, measurements (e.g., 1.5 litres), or sport statistics (e.g., a 9.58 second record).
Technical
Core concept in computing, data science, and any field requiring precise numerical representation.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The country decimalised its currency in the early 1970s.
American English
- The software automatically decimals the values for display.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The price is ten pounds and fifty pence, or £10.50 in decimal.
- Pi is approximately 3.14, but it continues to more decimal places.
- The results must be rounded to two decimal places for the report.
- The algorithm's precision was compromised by premature rounding of significant decimals.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of DECIMAL and DECEMBER – both start with DEC-, which comes from Latin 'decem' meaning 'ten'. A decimal is based on tens.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRECISION IS DECIMAL PLACES (e.g., 'Let's take this analysis out to a few more decimals').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'децимальный' (related to ten but not used for the number system). The correct Russian equivalent for the number is 'десятичная дробь' or 'десятичная запись'.
- The English 'decimal point' is a comma (,) in Russian numerical notation.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'The decimal of 1/2 is 0,5.' (Correct: '...is 0.5' – use a point, not a comma).
- Incorrect: 'He calculated the decimal.' (Vague; better: 'He calculated the value to three decimal places.').
Practice
Quiz
What does 'recurring decimal' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A fraction (like 1/2) is a way of expressing a part of a whole using a numerator and denominator. A decimal (like 0.5) is a specific way of writing a fraction, using a base-ten system and a decimal point. All decimals represent fractions, but not all fractions are conveniently written as finite decimals.
It can be both. As a noun: 'The number 5.7 has one decimal.' As an adjective: 'We use a decimal system.'
It's a historical convention. Many European countries use a comma (,) as the decimal separator and a point (.) or space to separate thousands, while the UK, US, and others use the opposite system (point for decimal, comma for thousands).
It means to round or express a number so that there are exactly 'n' digits after the decimal point. For example, 2.71828 to two decimal places is 2.72.