percentage

The word “percentage” means a proportion or rate expressed as a number out of one hundred. In plain terms, a way of measuring how big a part is compared to the whole, out of 100.

“Percentage” is pronounced puh-SEHN-tihj (/pə(ɹ)ˈsɛntɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).

Here is “percentage” used in a sentence: “What percentage of the budget goes toward marketing?”

“Percentage” is a noun.

“Percentage” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

“Percentage” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a proportion or rate expressed as a number out of one hundred.

Percent (or per cent) is used with a specific number and the % sign — '20 percent of students'. Percentage is used without a number, in a more general way — 'a large percentage of students'. In short, you say a number percent, but a percentage when the exact figure is unstated or not the point.

To find what percentage one number is of another, divide the part by the whole and multiply by 100. For example, 30 out of 120 is 30 ÷ 120 = 0.25, then × 100 = 25 percent. To find a percentage of a number, convert the percent to a decimal and multiply: 25 percent of 80 is 0.25 × 80 = 20.

A percentage is a proportion out of a hundred — a score of 90 percent means 90 correct out of 100. A percentile shows rank: being in the 90th percentile means you scored higher than 90 percent of other people. One measures how much; the other measures how you compare with a group.

If 40 out of 50 seats are filled, that is a percentage of 80 percent. A shop offering 25 percent off, a battery at 60 percent, and a 5 percent interest rate all use percentages. Each expresses a proportion as a figure out of one hundred, making different quantities easy to compare.