percentile
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.”
How to use percentile
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA statistical marker showing where a value ranks compared to everyone else, out of 100.
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.
Word forms
percentiles plural
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").
Synonyms
View more →Rhymes for percentile
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").