percentage
gb/pɚsˈɛntɪd͡ʒ/ us/pɚsˈɛntɪd͡ʒ/
A2
English
~ 2800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
quantity
1
proportion out of one hundred
A number that shows how much of something there is out of 100.
Usage pattern:
[number] percent of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'percentage' with 'percent'. 'Percent' is used with a number (e.g., '50 percent'), while 'percentage' is used without specifying the exact number (e.g., 'a high percentage').
Synonyms
proportion (Focuses on the relative amount compared to the whole, not necessarily out of 100.)
|
rate (Can mean a measure or speed, sometimes similar when referring to percentages in statistics.)
Antonyms
whole (Refers to the complete amount, rather than a part of it.)
Collocations
high percentage
|low percentage
|small percentage
|large percentage
|percentage increase
|percentage rate
Themes
mathematics
|business
|daily life
|education
|finance
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Only a small percentage of people attended the meeting.
- The percentage of students passing the exam has increased.
- A high percentage of the budget goes to salaries.
- The survey showed that 60% of customers were satisfied.
- The percentage dropped sharply last year.
Learner examples
- Ten percent of the class is absent.
- Fifty percent of the cake is gone.
- A big percentage of my money goes to rent.
- The teacher said the percentage is too low.
- He got a high percentage on the test.
Noun
B1
entity
2
share or cut of profit
A part of money or profit that someone gets.
Usage pattern:
a percentage of [amount/profit]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with mathematical percentages. In business contexts, it means a share, not necessarily calculated precisely for casual speech.
Synonyms
commission (Payment based on a percentage of sales or profit.)
|
cut (Informal term for a share, often in money.)
Antonyms
none (No share or portion received.)
Collocations
take a percentage
|earn a percentage
|get a percentage
|percentage cut
Themes
business
|commerce
|finance
|work
Examples
- The agent takes a percentage of every sale.
- She earns a percentage from the total profits.
- He gets a small percentage for his work on the project.
- They agreed on a ten percent commission.
- The broker’s percentage is clearly stated in the contract.
Learner examples
- The shop takes a percentage from each sale.
- He gets a percentage of the ticket price.
- She earns a percentage from her online sales.
- The company gives him a small percentage.
- I get no percentage from this deal.
Grammar
Dictionary form
percentage
IPA
GB/pɚsˈɛntɪd͡ʒ/
US/pɚsˈɛntɪd͡ʒ/
Syllables & stress
per - cent - age (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (per)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: percentage
- Plural: percentages
Word family
Expressions
by a large percentage
1/bˈaɪ ə lˈɑɹd͡ʒ pɚsˈɛntɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
by much when measured in percent
By much more than usual when measured in percent.
Examples
- Sales have increased by a large percentage this year.
- Their costs dropped by a large percentage after switching suppliers.
high percentage
1/hˈaɪ pɚsˈɛntɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
high proportion out of hundred
A large amount when compared to 100 parts.
Examples
- A high percentage of our customers return each year.
- There is a high percentage of women in this class.
small percentage
1/smˈɔl pɚsˈɛntɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
low proportion out of hundred
A low amount when compared to 100 parts.
Examples
- Only a small percentage of applicants are accepted.
- A small percentage of the land is used for farming.