percentage

An amount expressed as a number out of one hundred.

• What percentage of people agreed?
• The percentage of empty houses has fallen.
• She calculated the percentage increase in sales.

How to use it: percentage of something (A high percentage of students walk to school.)

Similar words: proportion

Common phrases: high percentage, percentage increase, percentage of something

A share of money earned from sales or profits, calculated as a number out of one hundred.

• She earns a percentage on every sale.
• His contract gives him a percentage of the profits.
• What percentage does the agent take?

How to use it: percentage of something (The agent receives a percentage of each sale.)

Similar words: commission, share, cut

Common phrases: percentage of profits, take a percentage, earn a percentage

An advantage or useful result you can gain from doing something.

• There is no percentage in waiting.
• She saw little percentage in taking that risk.
• What is the percentage in keeping this old machine?

How to use it: percentage in doing something (There is no percentage in arguing with him.)

Similar words: benefit, advantage, gain

Opposites: disadvantage

Common phrases: no percentage, percentage in something