Word
decimal
Phoneticsdec·i·mal, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdɛsəməɫ/
UK/dˈɛsɪməl/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a number that uses a point to separate whole numbers from parts of a whole. You use it to show values like money or precise measurements.
n. a fraction whose denominator is a power of ten, expressed by a point placed to the left of the numerator. Often used in technical or financial contexts to represent precise values.
Examples
“The price is written as a decimal.”
“When calculating the interest rate, the bank rounds the final decimal to two places for clarity.”
“In scientific computing, the precision of a decimal can significantly impact the outcome of complex simulations, leading researchers to prefer double-precision floating-point formats.”
Examples
simple
“The price is written as a decimal.”
contextual
“When calculating the interest rate, the bank rounds the final decimal to two places for clarity.”
complex
“In scientific computing, the precision of a decimal can significantly impact the outcome of complex simulations, leading researchers to prefer double-precision floating-point formats.”
Usage
Often used with the verb 'round' or 'convert'.
Pitfall
The price is 5,50
The price is 5.50
In English, a point is used for decimals, whereas many other languages use a comma.
Etymology
Borrowed from Late Latin, Medieval Latin decimalis, from Latin decimus, from decem (“ten”) + adjective suffix -alis.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Idioms
01. decimal dozen
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
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/decimal