Definition

A value that shows how a particular score compares to others in a group, indicating the percentage of scores that fall below it.

Example

If you scored in the 90th percentile on the test, you did better than 90% of the other students.

Conversation

Did you see the results of the test we took last week?

Yeah, I did! I was in the 85th percentile which was surprising.

That's awesome! I hope I ranked in a similar percentile.

I'm sure you did well too; you always study hard.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Percentile** → It is formed from "per-" (meaning through) and "centum" (meaning hundred). The word "percentile" refers to a value below which a certain percentage of observations fall, thus relating to the concept of dividing data into hundredths.

Memory Tip

Think of 'per-' meaning through and 'centum' meaning hundred — this helps you remember that a percentile indicates a value that represents a certain percentage through a hundred.

Visually Confused Words