hundred - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
hundred Word Meanings
- the number equivalent to 10 times 10
- a large quantity
- used to express a vast amount or numerous people
hundred Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
hundred Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈhʌndrəd/
US
/ˈhʌndrəd/
hundred Word Etymology
hundred = hund (root for ten) + red (a suffix indicating a group). Origin: Old English 'hund'; related to the Germanic languages. Memory image: Imagine counting a hundred sheep as a flock, emphasizing the idea of grouping many together.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I cup my hand and move a handful of coins, counting aloud as I shift them from palm to palm. The coins settle into a steady rhythm, a push and pull that tunes my attention. A hundred feels like a big, open space—a crowd, a long line, a vast sum I can imagine. I place them in neat rows, keep the pace, and feel the sense of scale grow.
Real Context
Hundred is the word for the number 100. It is a numeral, but it is also used to describe a large quantity or a large group of things or people, as in a hundred apples or a hundred fans. It can appear in phrases like a hundred times or hundreds of people to emphasize scale. In everyday speech, speakers sometimes joke that they waited a hundred years or spent a hundred dollars to exaggerate. Etymology links hundred to Old English hund, with related forms across Germanic languages; a simple memory image is counting a flock of one hundred sheep to picture many items grouped together.
Usage Reminders
- Remember: 1) hundred equals 100; 2) use with plurals in phrases like hundreds of people; 3) avoid confusing with hundredth (ordinal); 4) prefer 'a hundred' for approx; 5) use in phrases like a hundred times to show repetition.
Common Misconceptions
- Hundred means a vague 'a lot' rather than the exact number.
- Confusing hundred with a few because of 'hundreds' plural form.
- Mixing up 'hundred' with 'hundreds' when talking about precise counts.
- Thinking 'a hundred' always sounds informal or childish.
- Using 'hundred' to mean thousands in casual speech.
Thinking Differences
Learners often map hundred to a precise numeric value rather than a rough amount; it helps to link it to the digits 1-0-0 rather than a vague sense of 'many'.
Learning Tips
- Create a 100-item mental list or count to 100 slowly to reinforce the number.
- Practice saying 'a hundred' vs 'one hundred' to express rough vs exact amounts.
- Use phrases like 'hundreds of' and 'a hundred times' in varied contexts.
- Watch out for confusion with ordinal 'hundredth' when giving order or dates.
- Link the word to the digits 1-0-0 visually or with a quick flashcard.
- Compare hundred with other round numbers (ten, thousand) to map scale.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'hundred'?
A.Five
B.Ten
C.Hundred
D.Thousand
Step 2: Usage
In which of the following sentences is the word 'hundred' used correctly?
A.There are a ten apples in the box.
B.There are a five apples in the box.
C.There are a thousand apples in the box.
D.There are a hundred apples in the box.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which of the following words is similar to 'hundred'?
A.Thousand
B.Fifty
C.Twenty
D.Seven
Step 4: Opposite Words
What would be the opposite of 'hundred'?
A.Two
B.Zero
C.Plenty
D.Fifty
Step 5: Mastery
In a real-life context, when might you need to use the word 'hundred'?
A.Describing a specific quantity of money
B.Discussing temperatures in Fahrenheit
C.At the grocery store counting items
D.Giving directions to someone
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
🔥 Advanced
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