percentile

noun

per·​cen·​tile pər-ˈsen-ˌtī(-ə)l 

: a value on a scale of 100 that indicates the percent of a distribution that is equal to or below it

a score in the 95th percentile

Examples of percentile in a Sentence

His height and weight are in the 80th percentile for boys his age.

Recent Examples on the Web

With 100th percentile speed and an ability to elevate the baseball, Fitzgerald has as good a chance as anyone on the Giants’ roster to break both streaks. —Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025

That differential ranks in the 88th percentile among all NBA players this season. —Shane Young, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

Other athletes have chosen to reveal their scores — Joe Burrow scored in the 97th percentile on the exam during his draft process. —Cale Clinton, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025

Out of all generations, high-income individuals close to retirement would benefit the most—specifically, 70-year-olds in the 80th to 100th income percentile. —Claire Dickey, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for percentile

• campanile
• chrysotile
• domicil
• domicile
• mercantile
• neuropil
• nonpareil
• peristyle
• reconcile
• thermopile
• aisle
• bile

Medical Definition

percentile

noun

per·​cen·​tile pər-ˈsen-ˌtīl 

: a value on a scale of one hundred that indicates the percent of a distribution that is equal to or below it

a percentile score of 95 is a score equal to or better than 95 percent of the scores