per·cent (US) or Brit per cent
Pronounced:
/pɚˈsɛnt/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural US percent or British per centMeaning:
1 [count] : one part in a hundred : an amount that is equal to one one-hundredth of something ▪ The value has increased half a percent. ▪ several percent —usually used with a number ▪ Thirty percent [=3⁄10] of the class failed the test. ▪ Water covers more than 70 percent of the Earth's surface.
2 [singular] : a part of a whole : portion ▪ A large percent [=(more commonly) percentage] of their profits comes from online sales.
2 [singular] : a part of a whole : portion ▪ A large percent [=(more commonly) percentage] of their profits comes from online sales.
—percent (US) or Brit per cent adverb ▪ Gas prices rose 15 percent. [=15%] ▪ I'm 99.9 percent sure that I am right. [=I am almost completely sure that I am right] ▪ I agree with her 100 percent. [=I agree with her completely] ▪ He feels 100 percent better. [=he feels completely healthy again]
—percent (US) or Brit per cent adjective ▪ I received a five percent [=5%] increase in my salary.