A1noun 1K

Century

UK //ˈsɛnʧəri// US //ˈsɛnʧəri// Pronunciation

Definition

A period of one hundred years.

Listen to definition

In simple words: A period of 100 years.

Examples

• The 21st century started in the year 2001.
• Many great inventions were made in the 19th century.
• The 18th century was known for its significant cultural changes.
• He wrote a book about the history of the last century.
• The century we are living in is full of technology.

Usage notes

Use 'century' when discussing historical periods or time. Avoid using it in casual contexts unrelated to time.

Listen to usage notes

Grammar pattern

countable noun

Memory hint

Think of 'cent' meaning 100, like a century is 100 years.

Collocations

• 21st century
• mid-century
• turn of the century

Synonyms

• hundred years
• age
• era

Antonyms

• moment
• instant

Common mistakes

• Confused with 'decade', which means 10 years.
• Using 'centuries' incorrectly as a singular noun.