adj B2 Upper-Intermediate

centigrade

Centigrade (adj) means Divided into 100 equal degrees or units. Example: “The thermometer uses a centigrade scale.”

adj

Divided into 100 equal degrees or units.

"The thermometer uses a centigrade scale."

noun

A temperature scale (now usually called Celsius) where water freezes at 0 degrees and boils at 100 degrees.

"It was 30 degrees centigrade at the beach today."

How to use centigrade

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA temperature scale with 100 degrees between freezing and boiling; another name for Celsius.

Common mistake

"Centigrade" and "Celsius" refer to the same scale; Celsius is the modern, official name.

Easily confused with

celsius → fahrenheit →

Word forms

centigrades plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The thermometer uses a _____ scale.

Etymology

From Latin centi- ("hundred") + gradus ("step, degree") — literally "having a hundred steps".

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for centigrade

Ade made jade wade fade sade Bade Cade Dade trade blade spade

See all rhymes for centigrade →

Frequently asked questions

What does “centigrade” mean?

The word “centigrade” means divided into 100 equal degrees or units. In plain terms, a temperature scale with 100 degrees between freezing and boiling; another name for Celsius.

How do you use “centigrade” in a sentence?

Here is “centigrade” used in a sentence: “The thermometer uses a centigrade scale.”

What part of speech is “centigrade”?

Depending on how it is used, “centigrade” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “centigrade” come from?

The word “centigrade” comes from Latin. From Latin centi- ("hundred") + gradus ("step, degree") — literally "having a hundred steps".

How many meanings does “centigrade” have?

“Centigrade” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: divided into 100 equal degrees or units.

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