Definition

Relating to a temperature scale where water freezes at 0 degrees and boils at 100 degrees.

Example

The weather forecast said it would be 20 degrees centigrade tomorrow.

Conversation

What's the weather like today?

It's pretty warm, around 25 degrees centigrade.

That sounds nice! Do you think it will get hotter?

Yeah, I heard it might reach 30 degrees centigrade later.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Centigrade → It is formed from "centi-" (meaning one hundred) and "gradus" (meaning step or degree in Latin). The term centigrade refers to a scale of temperature where there are one hundred degrees between the freezing and boiling points of water.

Memory Tip

Think of 'one hundred' ('centi-') steps or degrees ('gradus') to remember that centigrade is a temperature scale with one hundred degrees between freezing and boiling.

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