Century vs Era

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

	Century	Era
Meaning	A period of 100 years.	A long period of time with special events or features.
CEFR level	A1	B2
Part of speech	noun	noun
Usage notes	Use 'century' when discussing historical periods or time. Avoid using it in casual contexts unrelated to time.	Use 'era' when describing significant periods in history, culture, or personal life. Avoid using it for shorter time frames which might be referred to as 'period' or 'stage'.

Frequently asked questions: Century vs Era

What's the difference between "Century" and "Era"?

"Century" means: A period of 100 years. "Era" means: A long period of time with special events or features.

When should I use "Century" and "Era"?

They can all be used in everyday English.

Are "Century" and "Era" the same CEFR level?

"Century" is at A1, "Era" is at B2 on the CEFR scale.