Explanation at your level:
A century is a long time. It is 100 years. If you are 10 years old, a century is 10 times your life! We use this word in history class to talk about things that happened a long time ago. For example, the 19th century was a time of many new machines. You can remember it because it starts with 'cent,' which sounds like 'cent' in money. There are 100 cents in a dollar, and a century is 100 years. It is easy to remember that way!
You can use the word century when you want to describe a period of 100 years. It is very common in history books. For example, you might read about 'the 20th century.' This means the years from 1901 to 2000. We often use it to talk about how much the world has changed. You might say, 'The world changed a lot in the last century.' It is a helpful word for talking about time in a big way.
At the B1 level, you should start using century to discuss historical trends or long-term developments. It is a standard noun that functions well in both academic and casual conversation. When you talk about the 'turn of the century,' you are referring to the years around the change from one hundred-year period to the next. It is also useful for comparisons, such as saying, 'This building has stood for over a century.' This shows you can use the word to describe duration and age effectively.
As you reach B2, you will notice century being used in more nuanced ways. It is often used to frame arguments about societal progress or technological advancement. You might hear phrases like 'a century of innovation' or 'the defining event of the century.' These collocations help you sound more fluent and precise. Remember that 'century' is a specific measurement, so avoid using it when you mean a shorter period like a decade (10 years) or a millennium (1,000 years).
In advanced contexts, century is frequently used in figurative speech to emphasize the scale of time. For example, 'It feels like a century since we last spoke' is a common hyperbole used to express the feeling of a long absence. In academic writing, it is essential for historical periodization. You will see it used in complex sentences like, 'The geopolitical landscape shifted dramatically throughout the 19th century, setting the stage for modern international relations.' Being able to integrate this word into complex historical analysis is a hallmark of C1 proficiency.
At the mastery level, you will appreciate the etymological depth of century. It connects to the Latin centum, linking it to a vast family of words involving the number 100. In literary and high-level discourse, the word can be used to evoke a sense of grand historical perspective. You might encounter it in discussions about 'centurial' changes—a rare adjective form—or in historical critiques that analyze the 'spirit of the century.' Mastery involves understanding not just the definition, but the weight this word carries when discussing the slow, inexorable march of history and its impact on human civilization over vast temporal spans.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A century is 100 years.
- It is used to organize history.
- It is also a score in cricket.
- The plural is centuries.
Hey there! Have you ever wondered how historians keep track of all the events that have happened throughout human history? They use a century, which is simply a period of 100 years.
Think of it as a giant bucket that holds a whole century of memories, inventions, and changes. When we talk about the 20th century, we are talking about the years from 1901 to 2000. It is a very useful way to group time so that we can understand the 'big picture' of history without getting lost in the tiny details of every single day.
You might also hear this word in sports, particularly cricket, where a player who scores 100 runs in a single innings is said to have scored a century. It is a big milestone! Whether you are looking at a timeline of the world or watching a sports match, this word helps us measure things that are quite large in scale.
The word century has a really cool backstory that takes us all the way back to Latin. It comes from the Latin word centuria, which was a group of 100 soldiers in the Roman army.
Can you imagine being part of a group of 100 people marching together? That is exactly where the idea started! Over time, the word moved from being about soldiers to being about numbers in general. When it entered the English language in the 16th century, it kept that core meaning of 'one hundred.'
It is fascinating to see how a word used for military organization evolved into our standard way of measuring long stretches of time. Languages are like living things—they grow and change just like we do. Knowing the root cent- (which means hundred) helps you understand other words too, like percent or centimeter. It is like having a secret code to unlock other meanings!
Using the word century is pretty straightforward, but there are some common ways we like to pair it with other words. We almost always use it with ordinal numbers, like 'the 18th century' or 'the 21st century.'
In formal writing, you will see it used to describe long-term trends, such as 'a century of progress' or 'a century of conflict.' These phrases help emphasize just how much time has passed. In more casual settings, you might hear someone say, 'It has been a century since I last saw you!' as a way of exaggerating that it has been a very long time.
Remember that when you write out centuries, we usually use ordinal numbers (19th, 20th) rather than cardinal numbers (19, 20). It is a small detail, but it makes your writing look much more professional and accurate.
While century isn't used in many traditional 'idioms,' it is used in common hyperbolic expressions. For example, saying 'It's been a century' is a classic way to tell a friend you feel like you haven't seen them in forever.
Another common way to use it is in the phrase 'turn of the century,' which refers to the time when one century ends and the next begins. It is a very popular phrase in literature and history books.
You might also hear 'a century of change,' which is often used in documentaries to describe a period where technology or society shifted dramatically. These aren't idioms in the strict sense, but they are 'set phrases' that native speakers use all the time to sound natural.
Grammatically, century is a countable noun. You can have one century, two centuries, or several centuries. The plural form is centuries—notice how the 'y' changes to 'ies'!
Pronunciation can be a bit tricky. In American English, it is often pronounced /ˈsen.tʃɚ.i/, while in British English, you might hear a slight 't' sound in the middle, /ˈsen.tʃər.i/. The stress is always on the first syllable: SEN-tu-ry.
Try to avoid saying 'cent-ury' with a hard 't' sound at the end of the first syllable. It should flow smoothly into the 'ch' sound. Rhyming words include entry, gentry, and ventry, though those are quite rare!
Fun Fact
The Roman army unit 'centuria' was led by a centurion.
Pronunciation Guide
Starts with 'sen', followed by 'chur' and 'ee'.
Similar to UK but with a stronger 'r' sound.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it as 'cent-ury' with a hard T
- Forgetting the 'ch' sound
- Swallowing the final 'ee'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very common word.
Requires ordinal usage.
Pronunciation needs care.
Easy to hear.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Ordinal Numbers
19th century
Countable Nouns
two centuries
Pluralization of Y
century -> centuries
Examples by Level
A century is 100 years.
A century = 100 years
Simple definition.
I read about the last century.
I read about the previous 100 years.
Past tense usage.
It is a long time.
It is a very long duration.
Adjective usage.
The 20th century was busy.
The years 1901-2000 were busy.
Ordinal number.
He is 100 years old.
He is a century old.
Age description.
History is about time.
History studies time.
Contextual.
We live in a new time.
We are in a new era.
Current era.
Count the years now.
Count the years.
Imperative.
The 21st century started in 2001.
Many inventions happened in the last century.
She has lived for almost a century.
The house is over a century old.
We study the 19th century in school.
A century is a very long period.
Technology changed a lot this century.
He scored a century in the cricket match.
The turn of the century brought many changes.
It has been a century since the war ended.
She is writing a book about the 18th century.
The company has been around for nearly a century.
We are living in the early 21st century.
The project will take a century to complete.
He hit a century to win the game.
The style was popular in the last century.
The 20th century was defined by major conflicts.
It feels like a century since I saw you last.
The building is a relic of the previous century.
We are witnessing a century of rapid progress.
The essay explores the art of the 17th century.
He achieved a century in record time.
The policy has remained unchanged for a century.
She is an expert on 19th-century literature.
The 20th century witnessed unprecedented scientific growth.
His work influenced the entire 19th century.
The cultural shifts of the last century are profound.
It has been a century of struggle and triumph.
The cricket player celebrated his third century.
The architecture reflects the early 20th century.
We are at the dawn of a new century.
The movement defined the mid-18th century.
The 20th century is often called the American century.
Her research spans nearly a century of data.
The century-old tradition is still practiced today.
It was the most significant event of the century.
The century-long project finally reached completion.
He scored a century with effortless grace.
The debate shaped the intellectual climate of the century.
The 19th-century aesthetic remains highly influential.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"Turn of the century"
The time when one century changes to another.
The city was built at the turn of the century.
neutral"It's been a century"
Exaggeration for 'it has been a long time'.
It's been a century since we last talked!
casual"A century of [something]"
Used to describe a long period of a specific theme.
A century of peace followed the treaty.
formal"Once in a century"
Something that happens very rarely.
This is a once in a century storm.
neutral"Score a century"
To get 100 points in cricket.
He was thrilled to score a century.
neutralEasily Confused
Both are time units.
Decade is 10 years, Century is 100.
A decade of growth vs a century of change.
Both are long time units.
Millennium is 1000 years.
The turn of the millennium.
Similar root.
Centenary refers to an anniversary.
The school's centenary celebration.
Same root.
A Roman officer, not a time unit.
The centurion led the troops.
Sentence Patterns
The [number] century
The 20th century was fascinating.
For a century
It has existed for a century.
Over a century
It is over a century old.
A century of [noun]
A century of innovation.
Turn of the century
At the turn of the century, everything changed.
Word Family
Nouns
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Century is 100 years, decade is 10.
100th century is 10,000 years away.
Century is the singular form.
Need ordinal numbers for centuries.
Different units entirely.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a 100-year-old person sitting on a throne of 100 clocks.
When Native Speakers Use It
They use it to discuss historical eras or cricket scores.
Cultural Insight
Centuries are a key way Western history is taught.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use ordinal numbers (18th, 19th) for centuries.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'ch' sound in the middle.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't confuse it with 'decade' (10 years).
Did You Know?
The word comes from Roman soldiers!
Study Smart
Group it with 'percent' and 'centimeter' to remember the '100' root.
Professional Writing
Use it to give your writing a historical perspective.
Listening Tip
Listen for the 'ch' sound in news reports about history.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Cent = 100 (like cents in a dollar). Century = 100 years.
Visual Association
A calendar with 100 pages turning.
Word Web
Challenge
Write down three things that happened in the 20th century.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: A group of 100 soldiers
Cultural Context
None.
Used heavily in history and sports (cricket).
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
History Class
- In the 19th century
- Historical era
- Time period
Sports
- Scored a century
- Cricket match
- 100 runs
General Conversation
- It's been a century
- A long time ago
- Over a century
Academic Writing
- Century of progress
- Turn of the century
- Historical context
Conversation Starters
"What was the most important event of the 20th century?"
"How has life changed in the last century?"
"Do you think the 21st century will be better than the 20th?"
"What is a tradition that has lasted for a century?"
"If you could live for a century, what would you do?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a historical figure from the 19th century.
Describe what you think the world will look like in the next century.
What is one invention from the last century that you cannot live without?
Reflect on how your family has changed over the last century.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt is 100 years. 1000 years is a millennium.
Use the ordinal 'th' after the number.
Yes, in cricket, it means 100 runs.
Century is singular; centuries is plural.
Yes, if they are 100, they have lived for a century.
Centurial or century-old.
To group history into manageable chunks.
It is neutral and used in all contexts.
Test Yourself
A ___ is 100 years.
A century is defined as 100 years.
Which is a century?
Century means 100.
The 21st century started in 2001.
Centuries start on the year 01.
Word
Meaning
Matching time units.
Correct structure: A century is a long time.
He scored a ___ in the cricket game.
In cricket, 100 runs is a century.
What does 'turn of the century' mean?
It refers to the transition between centuries.
Centuries are always 1000 years.
Centuries are 100 years.
Word
Meaning
Advanced vocabulary related to 100.
The century was defined by change.
Score: /10
Summary
A century is a 100-year span, essential for understanding history and measuring long periods of time.
- A century is 100 years.
- It is used to organize history.
- It is also a score in cricket.
- The plural is centuries.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a 100-year-old person sitting on a throne of 100 clocks.
When Native Speakers Use It
They use it to discuss historical eras or cricket scores.
Cultural Insight
Centuries are a key way Western history is taught.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use ordinal numbers (18th, 19th) for centuries.
Example
We are currently living in the 21st century.
Related Content
See it in Videos
Learn it in Context
This Word in Other Languages
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