century
A century is a period of 100 years. It is a common unit of time used to group historical events and long durations.
Examples
3 of 5We are currently living in the 21st century.
We are currently living in the 21st century.
The document dates back to the late 18th century.
The document dates back to the late 18th century.
I haven't seen you in a century!
I haven't seen you in a century!
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Remember that 'cent' means 100. Just like there are 100 cents in a dollar, there are 100 years in a century.
Quick Quiz
The 20th _______ saw many changes in technology.
Correct!
The correct answer is: century
Examples
We are currently living in the 21st century.
everydayWe are currently living in the 21st century.
The document dates back to the late 18th century.
formalThe document dates back to the late 18th century.
I haven't seen you in a century!
informalI haven't seen you in a century!
The industrial revolution began in the eighteenth century.
academicThe industrial revolution began in the eighteenth century.
Our family business has operated for over a century.
businessOur family business has operated for over a century.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
once in a century
once in a century
at the turn of the century
at the turn of the century
for centuries
for centuries
Often Confused With
A decade is 10 years, whereas a century is 100 years.
A millennium is 1,000 years, which is ten times longer than a century.
Usage Notes
When referring to a specific century, we almost always use the definite article 'the' and an ordinal number (e.g., the 19th century). In casual speech, it can be used hyperbolically to mean a very long time.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget to use 'the' before the century name. Another mistake is confusing the number of the century with the years (e.g., the 1900s is actually the 20th century).
Memory Tip
Remember that 'cent' means 100. Just like there are 100 cents in a dollar, there are 100 years in a century.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin word 'centuria', which means a group of one hundred.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
Western history is traditionally divided into centuries to track social, political, and technological progress.
Quick Quiz
The 20th _______ saw many changes in technology.
Correct!
The correct answer is: century
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
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More Time words
lifetime
A1A lifetime is the entire period of time that a person is alive. It can also refer to the length of time that an object, like a machine, works correctly.
Monday
A1Monday is the day of the week between Sunday and Tuesday. In many parts of the world, it is regarded as the first day of the working and school week.
Tuesday
A1Tuesday is the third day of the week, positioned between Monday and Wednesday. In most Western cultures and business environments, it is regarded as the second day of the standard work week.
Thursday
A1Thursday is the day of the week that comes after Wednesday and before Friday. It is typically considered the fourth day of the working week in most Western countries.
Saturday
A1Saturday is the day of the week that follows Friday and comes before Sunday. It is widely considered the first day of the weekend and is typically a day for rest or leisure in many cultures.
Sunday
A1Sunday is the seventh day of the week, positioned between Saturday and Monday. In many parts of the world, it is considered the final day of the weekend and is typically a day for rest or religious activities.
weekend
A1The weekend is the period of time at the end of the week, typically including Saturday and Sunday. It is generally a time when people do not work or attend school and use the time for rest or leisure.
yesterday
A1Yesterday refers to the day immediately before today. It is used to describe events, actions, or states that occurred in the very recent past, specifically one day ago.
day after tomorrow
A1The day that comes after the one that follows today. It refers to a point in time two days into the future from the current day.
day before yesterday
A1The day that occurred immediately before yesterday, referring to two days ago from today. It is used to pinpoint a specific time in the recent past in relation to the current day.
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