percent definition - Dictionary

Dictionary

per·cent [ pər sént ]

adverb

Definition:

as expressed in hundredths: used to express a proportion of an amount in hundredths, sometimes represented by the symbol percent

noun (plural per·cent [ pər sént ])

Definition:

1. one hundredth: one hundredth part of something

2. percentage: a part or percentage

[< Latin per centum "by a hundred"]

Word Usage


	percent - singular or plural? If percent stands alone without a subsequent prepositional phrase, you can use a singular or a plural verb with it: Sixty percent is accounted for;Sixty percent are accounted for. If a prepositional phrase following percent contains a noun or pronoun object regarded as a unit or a whole, use a singular verb: Sixty percent of the electorate is accounted for. If the object of the preposition in such a phrase is regarded as a number of people or things, use a plural verb: Sixty percent of the votes are accounted for.