A1noun2K

Cent

UK /["/sent/"]/US /["/sent/"]/

Definition

a coin and unit of money worth 1% of the main unit of money in many countries, for example of the US dollar or of the euro

In simple words: A small unit of money, equal to one hundredth of a dollar.

Examples

  • A one-minute phone call to the UK cost 10 cents.
  • The price of diesel was increased by 17 cents per litre.
  • The $300 he'd spent on a ticket was worth every cent.
  • Directors recommended a dividend of 60 cents per share.
  • Subscribers pay 99 cents a song.
  • The company offered its creditors 30 cents on the dollar (= 30 cents for every dollar it owed them).

Usage notes

Use 'cent' to refer to prices, amounts, or when comparing values. It's less common in informal contexts, such as casual conversation, where people often just use 'dollar'.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of 'cent' as a 'cent-ury' — a small amount of time or money.

Collocations

  • cost a cent
  • not worth a cent
  • two cents
  • one cent

Synonyms

  • penny
  • nickel
  • dime
  • coin

Antonyms

  • dollar
  • euro
  • pound

Common mistakes

  • Omitting the 's' in plural form when referring to multiple cents.
  • Confusing 'cent' with 'cents' when talking about more than one.
  • Using 'cent' in contexts where a broader term like 'money' is more appropriate.