central
SEHNTRL
Central (adj) means Located at or near the middle of something. Example: “Their hotel had a central location, close to all the main sights.”
adj
1
Located at or near the middle of something.
"Their hotel had a central location, close to all the main sights."
"The bus station is in the central part of town."
"She put the vase on the central shelf of the bookcase."
2
Extremely important or essential to something.
"Trust is central to any good relationship."
"Kindness is central to how this little school teaches children."
"Teamwork played a central role in finishing the project."
How to use central
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn or near the middle, or of key importance.
Common pairings
central heating
central government
central to the plot
central location
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Word forms
- Plural
- centrals
- Comparative
- more central
- Superlative
- most central, centralmost, centremost, centermost
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Their hotel had a _____ location, close to all the main sights.
Etymology
From Latin centralis, from centrum ("center").
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “central” mean?
The word “central” means located at or near the middle of something. In plain terms, in or near the middle, or of key importance.
How do you pronounce “central”?
“Central” is pronounced SEHNTRL (/ˈsɛntɹ(ə)l/ in IPA).
How do you use “central” in a sentence?
Here is “central” used in a sentence: “Their hotel had a central location, close to all the main sights.”
What part of speech is “central”?
“Central” is an adjective.
Where does the word “central” come from?
The word “central” comes from Latin. From Latin centralis, from centrum ("center").
Is “central” a common word?
“Central” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “central” have?
“Central” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: located at or near the middle of something.
What is the difference between central and middle?
Both relate to the centre, but they work differently. Middle is usually a noun or points to the exact midpoint — the middle of the room. Central is an adjective describing something at or near the centre, and it often also implies importance, as in 'a central figure.' Middle rarely carries that second sense.
What is the difference between central and centre?
Centre is the noun — the middle point of something, as in 'the centre of town.' Central is the adjective formed from it, meaning located at or near that centre, as in 'a central location.' So a shop sits in the centre, and you would call it centrally placed or central.
What are the different meanings of central?
Central has two main senses. Literally, it means positioned at or near the middle of something, like a central square in a city. Figuratively, it means most important or essential, as in 'a central theme' or 'central to the plot.' Both share the idea of being at the core of something.
What is the opposite of central?
For position, the opposite of central is peripheral, meaning on the edge or outer part, along with words like outer and outlying. For importance, opposites include minor, secondary, and marginal. So a central role contrasts with a minor one, and a central location contrasts with a peripheral or remote one.
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