noun

percentile

puh-SEHN-tyl

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Percentile (noun) means a value on a scale of one hundred that shows the percentage of a data set falling below it. Example: “The baby's weight put her in the seventy-fifth percentile for her age.”

noun

A value on a scale of one hundred that shows the percentage of a data set falling below it.

"The baby's weight put her in the seventy-fifth percentile for her age."

"Scoring in the ninety-ninth percentile means almost everyone else scored lower."

How to use percentile

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA statistical marker showing where a value ranks compared to everyone else, out of 100.

Common mistake

Being in a high percentile is not the same as scoring a high percentage — the 90th percentile just means you beat 90% of people, not that you got 90% correct.

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: percentiles

Test yourself on “percentile” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The baby's weight put her in the seventy-fifth _____ for her age.

Etymology

Coined in 1885 by the statistician Francis Galton, combining "percent" with the suffix "-ile" (as in "decile").

· First attested 1885

Class of 1885 percentile joined the language around 1885.

tourette

See the full Class of 1885 →

Synonyms

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%ile centile

Rhymes for percentile

file mile tile pile wile vile rile Nile bile Chile smile while

See all rhymes for percentile →

Frequently asked questions

What does “percentile” mean?

The word “percentile” means a value on a scale of one hundred that shows the percentage of a data set falling below it. In plain terms, a statistical marker showing where a value ranks compared to everyone else, out of 100.

How do you pronounce “percentile”?

“Percentile” is pronounced puh-SEHN-tyl (/pɚˈsɛn.taɪl/ in IPA).

How do you use “percentile” in a sentence?

Here is “percentile” used in a sentence: “The baby's weight put her in the seventy-fifth percentile for her age.”

What is another word for “percentile”?

Words with a similar meaning to “percentile” include %ile and centile.

What part of speech is “percentile”?

“Percentile” is a noun.

Where does the word “percentile” come from?

The word “percentile” dates back to around 1885. Coined in 1885 by the statistician Francis Galton, combining "percent" with the suffix "-ile" (as in "decile").