hexadecimal: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Technical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “hexadecimal” mean?
A base-16 numeral system using digits 0–9 and letters A–F to represent values ten to fifteen.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A base-16 numeral system using digits 0–9 and letters A–F to represent values ten to fifteen.
Pertaining to or using this system, especially common in computing and digital electronics for representing binary values concisely.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic or usage differences. Both use identical spelling and meaning.
Connotations
Purely technical term with no regional connotative differences.
Frequency
Used with equal frequency in technical domains in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “hexadecimal” in a Sentence
The memory address is stored in hexadecimal.Convert the binary number to hexadecimal.The colour is defined by a six-digit hexadecimal code.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hexadecimal” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The programmer checked the hexadecimal dump for errors.
- Ensure the output is in hexadecimal format.
American English
- The developer read the hexadecimal address from the log file.
- Use a hexadecimal value to configure that setting.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in tech companies discussing low-level specifications.
Academic
Common in computer science, mathematics, and engineering courses.
Everyday
Virtually never used in general conversation.
Technical
Ubiquitous in programming, debugging, network addressing, digital design, and memory management.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hexadecimal”
- Pronouncing it as /ˌheksəˈdɛsɪməl/ (incorrect vowel in first syllable).
- Misspelling as 'hexidecimal'.
- Using it to refer to any non-decimal system.
- Confusing it with 'hex code', which specifically refers to hexadecimal colour codes in web design.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Because one hexadecimal digit represents exactly four binary digits (bits), making it a compact and convenient way to read and write long binary strings.
Primarily as an adjective (e.g., 'hexadecimal system'). It can also function as a noun meaning 'a hexadecimal digit or number' (e.g., 'convert this to a hexadecimal').
The letters A (for ten), B (eleven), C (twelve), D (thirteen), E (fourteen), and F (fifteen).
'Hexadecimal' refers to the numeral system itself. 'Hex code' is a specific colloquial term for a hexadecimal colour code used in web design (e.g., #FFFFFF for white).
A base-16 numeral system using digits 0–9 and letters A–F to represent values ten to fifteen.
Hexadecimal is usually technical, academic in register.
Hexadecimal: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhɛksəˈdɛsɪm(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhɛksəˈdɛsəməl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
'Hexa' means six (like hexagon), but here it combines with 'decimal' to mean sixteen, because it's 0–9 plus A–F (six extra symbols). Think: HEXA (six extra letters) + DECIMAL (ten digits) = a system of sixteen symbols.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often conceptualised as a 'shorthand' or 'compressed form' for binary, making long strings of 1s and 0s human-readable.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a primary use of hexadecimal notation?