Hundred Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈhʌndrəd/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A unit of quantity, equal to 10 tens, or 100 individual units.

Examples

• The athlete ran a hundred meters in under 10 seconds.
• The company has a hundred employees worldwide.

Synonyms

• Century
• Century mark

Antonyms

• Zero
• None

Additional Information

A hundred is a commonly used measurement in various contexts, such as time, distance, and quantity. It is often used as a benchmark or milestone, indicating a significant amount or achievement. In some cultures, the number hundred is considered sacred or symbolic, representing perfection, completeness, or unity.

In everyday life, hundreds are used to measure distances, such as running tracks or marathon courses. In finance, hundreds are used to represent large sums of money or investments. In education, hundreds are used to grade assignments and exams, with a perfect score being 100%.

Etymology

The word “hundred” originates from the Old English word “hund”, meaning a group of 100. This word is derived from the Proto-Germanic word “*hunthiz”, which is also related to the Proto-Indo-European root “*dekm-“, meaning “ten”. Over time, the spelling and meaning of the word have evolved, but its significance as a unit of measurement has remained consistent.

Usage Notes

When using the word “hundred”, it’s essential to be precise and clear about the context, as it can be ambiguous. For example, “a hundred people” implies 100 individuals, whereas “a hundred miles” implies a specific distance. In written communication, it’s common to use the numerical form “100” instead of writing out the word “hundred” to avoid confusion.

Cultural References

The number hundred has appeared in various cultural references, such as in music, literature, and film. For example, the song “100 Bottles of Beer” is a popular children’s song, while the novel “100 Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is a celebrated work of literature. In film, the phrase “100 days” is often used to mark a milestone or deadline.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• “A hundred percent” meaning completely or utterly
• “A hundred times better” meaning significantly improved

Related Words or Phrases

• Thousand
• Ten thousand
• Hundredth

Collocations

• a hundred people
• a hundred miles
• a hundred dollars

Frequency of Use

The word “hundred” is a commonly used word in everyday language, with a frequency of use ranking in the top 10% of all words.

Common Misspellings

• hundread
• hunderd
• hundrade