WordGarden.iohundred
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈʌndrəd/
US
- /ˈhəndərd/
Meanings
Determiner
the cardinal number 100
Noun
the number or numeral 100
a very large number, especially in the plural
a banknote or bill worth one hundred units of currency
More meaningsFewer meanings
a score of 100, especially in cricket
Beyond the definition
The number "hundred" means 100, or ten times ten. But it is more than just a number. We also use "hundred" to talk about a lot of things. You might say, "There were hundreds of people at the concert," meaning a very large crowd. Or you could say you are "one hundred percent" sure, meaning you are completely certain.
Think of it this way: a century is one hundred years, and one hundred dollars is a clear amount of money. Sometimes "hundred" appears in phrases like "one in a hundred," meaning something is very rare. You might also hear someone say they have told you something "a hundred times." That does not always mean exactly 100 times. It is often just a strong way to show repetition.
The word "hundred" names the number 100. It is a basic counting word, and we use it when we talk about exact amounts, groups, money, age, distance, scores, and percentages. If you say "one hundred pages," "one hundred dollars," or "one hundred years," you mean that exact amount.
But the word is also often used in a less exact way. If someone says, "Hundreds of stars filled the night sky," they usually mean there were very many stars, not that they counted each one. In the same way, "I've told you a hundred times!" is usually not literal. It is a strong way to stress repetition.
"Hundred" can also show completeness. "One hundred percent" means fully or completely. People use it to show certainty, agreement, or total quality. For example, "I am one hundred percent sure," or "This fabric is one hundred percent cotton."
The word also appears in common phrases. "A hundred years" can describe a century. "One in a hundred" suggests something rare. "Hundreds of people" means a large group. So while "hundred" starts as the exact number 100, it is also a flexible everyday word that can show a large amount, total completeness, or strong emphasis, depending on the sentence.
Examples
- 1
Price
The tickets cost a hundred dollars each.
- 2
Attendance
About a hundred people came to the meeting.
- 3
Repeated reminder
I've told you a hundred times to back up your files.
- Phrasea hundred times
many times, not exactly 100
- 4
Large crowd
Hundreds of people were waiting outside the stadium.
- Phrasehundreds of
a very large number of
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Full effort
She gave the job one hundred percent.
- Phrasegive something one hundred percent
put in full effort
- 6
Complete certainty
"Do you think she'll win?" "A hundred percent."
- Phrasea hundred percent
completely; definitely
- 7
Strong refusal
Not in a hundred years would he agree to that.
- Phrasenot in a hundred years
definitely not
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- hundrednounadjective
Forms
- hundredspluralnounadjective