B1noun1K

Percentage

UK /["/pəˈsentɪdʒ/"]/US /["/pərˈsentɪdʒ/"]/

Definition

the number, amount or rate of something, expressed as if it is part of a total that is 100; a part or share of a whole

In simple words: A part of a whole expressed in hundredths.

Examples

  • The percentage of students passing the exam has increased this year.
  • A high percentage of the population prefers online shopping.
  • He received a small percentage of the total prize money.
  • The percentage shown on the chart represents growth over the last decade.
  • In this survey, what percentage of people are satisfied with their jobs?
  • She calculated the percentage of marks she needed to pass the course.
  • An increasing percentage of the budget will go towards renewable energy.

Usage notes

Used in math, finance, and statistics to describe a fraction of a total. Avoid in casual conversation where simpler terms like 'part' might be more understandable.

Grammar pattern

percentage + of + amount

Memory hint

Think of 'percent' and add 'age' — it's like calculating a score in school.

Collocations

  • considerable
  • high
  • huge
  • calculate
  • determine
  • estimate
  • decline
  • decrease
  • drop
  • point
  • rate
  • figure
  • percentage of
  • in percentage terms
  • on a percentage basis
  • considerable
  • high
  • huge
  • calculate
  • determine
  • estimate
  • decline
  • decrease
  • drop
  • point
  • rate
  • figure
  • percentage of
  • in percentage terms
  • on a percentage basis

Synonyms

  • portion
  • fraction
  • share
  • rate
  • proportion

Antonyms

  • whole
  • total

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'percent' — remember 'percentage' is used for a specific quantity.
  • 'Percentage' is often misused as a countable noun; it's usually uncountable.
  • 'Percentage' can be incorrectly pluralized as 'percentages' when not necessary.