What is century? Pronunciation and usage in English

century means . Learn how to pronounce and use century through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of century

centurynoun

/ˈsɛntʃ(ʊ)ri/
Definition & pronunciation of century

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "century" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

The Standard Pronunciation (American and British):

  • ˈsentʃuri

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  1. "cent-": This part sounds like "sent" as in "sentimental". Think of the "e" as a short "e" sound, like in "bet".
  2. "-u-": This is a very short, almost silent "oo" sound, like the "u" in "but" or "cup”. It's not a full, drawn-out “oo.”
  3. "-ry": This sounds like "chur-ee". The "ch" is like the "ch" in "chair," but slightly softer. The "ee" is a long "ee" sound, as in "see."

Putting it all together:

It’s a quick, smooth flow of sounds. Don't overemphasize any particular syllable.

Tips and Common Mistakes:

  • Don't say "cen-TREE": This is a very common mistake! The "ee" sound here as in "tree" is incorrect.
  • Keep the "u" short: The "u" is crucial, but it shouldn't be pronounced like "you."
  • Focus on the "chur-ee" at the end: Make sure you get that "chur" sound right.

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.) Pronunciation can vary slightly between regions.

Usage and examples with the word century in English

Let's break down how to use the word "century" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word!

1. Basic Definition: A Period of Time

At its core, a "century" refers to a period of 100 years.

  • Example: "The 18th century was a time of great change in Europe."
  • Example: "I’m studying the history of the 20th century."

2. Different Ways to Use It – Grammatically

  • Singular vs. Plural: This is where it gets a little tricky. “Century” can be used both as a singular and a plural noun. This is a very common source of confusion for English learners.

    • Singular (as a single unit of 100 years): You’re talking about a specific time period.

      • Example: “The Renaissance was a beautiful century.” (Referring to the entire 14th-16th centuries.)
      • Example: “She lived through a difficult century.” (Referring to a specific 100-year period in her life.)

    • Plural (as multiple periods of 100 years): You’re referring to more than one hundred-year period.

      • Example: “There have been seven centuries of democracy in the United States.” (Meaning seven individual periods of 100 years.)
      • Example: “The archaeologists have excavated ruins from several centuries.” (Meaning several periods of 100-year old ruins.)

3. Using "The Century" Specifically

"The Century" often refers to a particular century, usually the 20th century, and is often used in contexts involving significant events, culture, or technology.

  • Example: “The 20th century saw incredible advancements in science and technology.”
  • Example: “The 19th century was known for its Victorian era.”

4. Other Uses & Phrases

  • Century-old: (adjective) - Describes something that is 100 years old.

    • Example: "This building is century-old and full of character."

  • Century-long: (adjective) - Describes something that lasts for a hundred years.

    • Example: "The war was a century-long struggle."

  • In the Century: (phrase) - Means happening in a specific century.

    • Example: "He was a prominent artist in the 19th century."

5. Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

  • Using "centuries" when you mean "century": Be careful to use the correct form based on whether you're referring to one period or multiple.
  • Confusing "century" with "centennial": "Centennial" refers to the 100th anniversary (e.g., a centennial celebration).

Here's a quick summary table:

Form Meaning Example
Century One period of 100 years "The 17th century was turbulent."
Centuries Multiple periods of 100 years "There are many centuries of history here."
Century-old 100 years old "It's a century-old house."
Century-long Lasting 100 years "The crisis was a century-long problem."

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you using "century" in? (e.g., history, literature, general conversation)?

Synonyms for the word century

Idioms of the word century

the turn of the century/year
the time when a new century/year starts
  • It was built at the turn of the century.
  • The team are unbeaten since the turn of the year.

Practice with vocabulary century

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The Industrial Revolution began in the 18th __________ and transformed society.
  2. It took almost a __________ to build the Great Wall of China.
  3. The discovery of penicillin in the 20th __________ revolutionized medicine.
  4. Many historical events shaped the __________ of the Renaissance in Europe.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which word best describes a period of 100 years?
    a) Decade
    b) Century
    c) Millennium
    d) Era

  2. The Mona Lisa was painted in the 16th __________.
    a) Century
    b) Era
    c) Period
    d) Decade

  3. Which of the following is NOT a synonym for "century"?
    a) Hundred years
    b) Millennium
    c) Age
    d) Era

  4. The internet became widely available to the public in the late 20th __________.
    a) Decade
    b) Century
    c) Millennium
    d) Year

  5. Which word is most appropriate for describing the Viking __________?
    a) Age
    b) Century
    c) Period
    d) Decade

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The 19th __________ was marked by significant scientific advancements.
    Rewrite: The 1800s were a time of major breakthroughs in science.

  2. Original: It took several decades to recover from the war.
    Rewrite: It took almost a __________ to rebuild after the conflict.

  3. Original: The Renaissance __________ was a period of cultural rebirth.
    Rewrite: The Renaissance __________ saw a revival of art and learning.

Answer

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. century
  2. century
  3. century
  4. era

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) Century
  2. a) Century
  3. b) Millennium
  4. b) Century
  5. a) Age

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The 1800s were a time of major breakthroughs in science.
  2. It took almost a century to rebuild after the conflict.
  3. The Renaissance era saw a revival of art and learning.

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