Centigrade Definition, Usage & vs. Celsius

Meaning 1：measured in hundredths (centigrade)

centigrade 🔊

/ˈsentɪɡreɪd/

adj.

A way to measure temperature where water freezes at 0 degrees and boils at 100 degrees, often called Celsius.

Centigrade temperature measurement illustrated with a classic glass thermometer showing a 0 to 100 degree scale.

measured in hundredths 🔊

➕

/ˈmɛʒərd ɪn ˈhʌndrədθs/

adj.

Describes a measurement system, especially for temperature, divided into 100 equal parts or degrees between two fixed points.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：Elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'centum' (hundred) + 'gradus' (step, degree).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of CENTI-GRADE: sent to a GRADE (like a score) based on 100 parts.

📖 Example

When checking the weather app, I saw it was centigrade 30 degrees outside, so I decided to wear light clothes. 🔊 When checking the weather app, I saw the temperature was 30 degrees Celsius outside, prompting me to wear light clothing.

🔗 Collocations

centigrade scale – The temperature scale ranging from 0 to 100 degrees.

centigrade thermometer – A thermometer marked with the centigrade scale.

degrees centigrade – A unit for expressing temperature on the centigrade scale.

🔄 Synonyms

Celsius (adj.) – The modern official name for the centigrade temperature scale.

metric (adj.) – Relating to a decimal system of measurement, which includes the Celsius scale.

decimal (adj.) – Based on division into tenths or hundredths, like the centigrade system.

🚫 Antonyms

Fahrenheit (adj.) – Relating to a different temperature scale where water freezes at 32°F and boils at 212°F.

🌱 Derivatives

Celsius (adj./n.) – The modern term for the centigrade temperature scale.

📖 Cultural Story

The term 'centigrade' originates from the Latin words for 'hundred' and 'step'. It was introduced for the temperature scale devised by Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius in 1742. While officially renamed 'Celsius' in his honor, 'centigrade' remains in common use in some English-speaking contexts.