Word
central
Phoneticscen·tral, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsɛntɹəɫ/
UK/sˈɛntɹəl/
Definitions
01in the middle
B1 · Intermediate
adj. located in the middle of an area or city.
adj. situated at or near the centre of a space, object, or geographic region.
“The hotel is very central, so you can walk to all the main museums.”
“The central business district remains the primary hub for financial services, despite the recent trend of companies moving to suburban offices.”
Antonyms
02very important
B1 · Intermediate
adj. the most important part of an idea, plan, or system.
adj. of primary importance; essential or principal to a concept, organisation, or process.
“The theme of family is central to the story in this movie.”
“Reducing carbon emissions is central to the government's new environmental policy for the coming decade.”
Antonyms
03anatomy/biology
C1 · Advanced Medicine Technical
adj. relating to the main part of the body's nervous system, like the brain and spine.
adj. relating to the central nervous system or acting from the centre toward the peripheral organs.
“The central nervous system controls how our bodies react to pain.”
“The drug acts on the central nervous system to reduce tremors without affecting the patient's motor coordination in the limbs.”
Antonyms
04a main office or station
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun American English
n. a main office or a place that controls a large system.
n. a central office, station, or hub that serves as a point of control or coordination.
“The taxi driver called central to ask for the correct address.”
“The regional power central monitors electricity distribution across three states to prevent blackouts during peak hours.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “central” in context.
Adjective
01. central area
“The hotel is located in the central area of the city, close to all the shops.”
adj + noun
02. central committee
“The central committee met yesterday to discuss the new policy changes.”
adj + noun
03. central component
“Trust is a central component of any successful relationship.”
adj + noun
04. central concept
“The central concept of the book is that everyone deserves a second chance.”
adj + noun
05. central core
“The central core of the building is made of reinforced concrete.”
adj + noun
06. central defender
07. central axis
08. central body
09. central bank
10. central defence
11. central character
12. central characters
Real-World Examples
“A pipeline of tropical moisture is feeding a slow-moving storm system, unleashing repeated downpours from Texas to the Central Plains.” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin centrālis, from centrum (“centre”), from Ancient Greek κέντρον (kéntron); by surface analysis, centre + -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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