percent
puh-SEHNT
Percent (noun) means one part in every hundred; used to express a proportion of a whole. Example: “Only five percent of the cake was left by the time I arrived.”
noun
1
One part in every hundred; used to express a proportion of a whole.
"Only five percent of the cake was left by the time I arrived."
"Almost ninety percent of the students passed the exam."
"Sales rose by fifteen percent last quarter."
How to use percent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA way of describing a share out of 100 — 50 percent means half of something.
UK vs US
British English often writes "per cent" as two words, while American English almost always writes "percent" as one.
Common pairings
fifty percent
percent increase
percent of
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Word forms
- Plural
- percents
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Only five _____ of the cake was left by the time I arrived.
Etymology
From New Latin per centum, literally "by the hundred".
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “percent” mean?
The word “percent” means one part in every hundred; used to express a proportion of a whole. In plain terms, a way of describing a share out of 100 — 50 percent means half of something.
How do you pronounce “percent”?
“Percent” is pronounced puh-SEHNT (/pɚˈsɛnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “percent” in a sentence?
Here is “percent” used in a sentence: “Almost ninety percent of the students passed the exam.”
What part of speech is “percent”?
“Percent” is a noun.
Where does the word “percent” come from?
The word “percent” comes from New Latin. From New Latin per centum, literally "by the hundred".
Is “percent” a common word?
“Percent” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between percent and percentage?
'Percent' follows a specific number, as in 'forty percent of voters.' 'Percentage' is the general noun used without an exact figure, as in 'a large percentage of voters.' A simple test: if a number sits right before it, use percent; if not, use percentage.
What is the difference between percent and percentage points?
They measure change differently. If a rate rises from 40 percent to 45 percent, that is an increase of five percentage points. Yet relative to the starting figure it is a 12.5 percent rise. Percentage points compare the two figures directly, while percent expresses the proportional change between them.
Is it written percent, per cent, or %?
All are correct in the right setting. American English prefers 'percent' as one word, while British English often writes 'per cent' as two. The symbol % is standard in tables, maths, and alongside figures, as in 30%. In running prose, spelling it out usually reads better.
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