Meaning & use
decimal
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a nounmathematics
Based on the number ten, or using a point to show parts smaller than one.
Grammar: Goes before a noun: the decimal system, a decimal point.
Patterns
- decimal system
- decimal point
The metric system is a decimal system, so each unit is ten times the next.
Put the decimal point after the 4 to write 4.5.
The calculator shows the answer in decimal form.
nouncountablemathematics
A number written with a point that separates whole units from parts of a unit, such as 0.75.
Grammar: Countable: one decimal, two decimals.
Patterns
- convert a fraction to a decimal
- round a decimal to something
Write one half as the decimal 0.5.
Students learned to add decimals by lining up the points.
Round the decimal to two places, so 3.14159 becomes 3.14.
Word forms
| plural | decimals |
|---|
Common combinations
- decimal point
- Move the decimal point two places to the right.
- decimal place
- Give your answer to one decimal place.
- decimal system
- Most countries use a decimal system for money.
- convert to a decimal
- Convert the fraction three quarters to a decimal.
- repeating decimal
- One third is a repeating decimal: 0.333 and so on.
Synonyms and how they differ
- decimal fraction
- Decimal fraction is the fuller, more formal name for the same thing, mostly used in textbooks.
- base-ten
- Base-ten describes the counting system itself, while decimal can also name a number written within it.
- denary
- Denary is a mainly British, rarer word for base ten, often used in computing contrasts with binary.
Opposites
Word family
- decimally adverb
- in a decimal way (rare)
- decimalize verb
- to change to a decimal system, as with a currency
- decimalization noun
- the change to a decimal system
- decimate verb
- from the same Latin root meaning tenth; to destroy a large part of something
Commonly confused: decimal or decimate? decimal or fraction?
decimal vs decimate
Decimate originally meant to kill one in ten and now means to destroy a large part of something, while decimal is only about numbers.
decimal vs fraction
A fraction is written with a numerator and denominator, such as 1/2, while a decimal uses a point, such as 0.5.
Practice
In the number 7.25, what is the '.' called?
Choose one answer.
The dot separating whole units from parts is the decimal point. A decimal place is a position after the point, and the other options name different ideas.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “decimal”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.