cent

cent — noun

1. a small unit of money used in countries such as the United States, Canada, and A

1.nounA2
Definition

a small unit of money used in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia; one-hundredth of a dollar. A one-cent coin is the smallest-value coin in those countries.

Example

The candy at the corner shop costs only fifty cents.

cost + [number] cents for pricing items

Ravi found a shiny ten-cent coin on the bus seat.

a [number]-cent coin as compound adjective

Common collocations
  • every cent
  • not a cent
  • fifty cents apiece
  • ten-cent coin
  • five-cent stamp
  • cents per gallon
Synonyms
  • penny

    Informal US term for a one-cent coin; does not refer to the value unit itself. 'The machine rejected my penny' (the coin) vs 'The fee is one cent' (the value).

Grammar Patterns

[number] + cent(s)

a [number]-cent + noun

Usage Note

Plural form cents is used when referring to an amount of two or more: 'fifty cents,' not 'fifty cent.' The singular form is only used in compound adjectives before a noun (a ten-cent stamp) or in fixed phrases like 'not one cent.'

Common Mistakes

I paid fifty cent for the drink.
I paid fifty cents for the drink.
When referring to an amount of two or more, cent must take the plural -s.
I need a five-cents stamp.
I need a five-cent stamp.
When used as an adjective before a noun, cent stays singular: a five-cent coin, a ten-cent increase.

2. one of the small coins or amounts that make up the euro currency; one-hundredth

2.nounB1
Definition

one of the small coins or amounts that make up the euro currency; one-hundredth of a euro. These are the smallest-value coins in countries such as Germany, France, and Spain.

Example

Tomás paid eighty cents for an espresso in Madrid.

pay + [number] cents for a service

The bus ticket in Berlin costs one euro and forty cents.

currency format: euro + and + cents

Common collocations
  • fifty-cent coin
  • two-cent coin
  • euro cents
  • cents per liter

Grammar Patterns

[number] + cent(s)

a [number]-cent + noun

Usage Note

When writing euro amounts, the cent amount follows the euro amount with 'and': '€1.40' is read as 'one euro and forty cents.' In speech, 'and' is sometimes dropped: 'one euro forty.'

Common Mistakes

That coffee costs ninety cent euro.
That coffee costs ninety euro cents.
The currency name euro goes before cent, and cent takes the plural -s.
I have two euros and fifty.
I have two euros and fifty cents.
When specifying the exact amount, include cents rather than saying 'fifty' alone.
Idioms

put in your two cents’ worth

idiom

To share your opinion on a topic, even when others may not want it.

During the meeting, Maya put in her two cents’ worth about the new policy.

Did Brian put in his two cents’ worth when you discussed the budget?

Word family

  • percent
    nounA2
  • percentage
    nounB1
  • centennial
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

In US English, cent is the formal unit of value (1/100 of a dollar), while penny is the informal name for the one-cent coin itself. Nickel, dime, and quarter name coins worth 5, 10, and 25 cents respectively — they are not synonyms for cent but related denominations. In everyday speech, Americans say 'a penny' to refer to the round copper coin but 'one cent' when talking about value. For example: 'I need four cents to make exact change' (the amount) versus 'I found a penny on the ground' (the coin). In financial writing, only cent is used, never penny.

pennynickeldimequarter

Common collocations

Nouns

  • coin
  • piece
  • stamp
  • increase
  • fee
  • charge

Phrases

  • not one cent
  • every last cent
  • cents on the dollar
  • cents worth

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Cent comes from Latin centum, meaning 'hundred.' It entered English through Old French cent, and has been used since the 1700s to mean one-hundredth of a dollar or other decimal currency. The symbol ¢ is a stylized 'c' with a vertical line through it.