Words / A2

SENT/sent/

A cent is a small money unit: fifty cents, one hundred cents in a euro or dollar. Penny is the British cousin for small coins. Sent is the past of send — same sound. Scent is a smell. Do not write cent when you mean sent, or scent.

Meaning

A small unit of money; 100 cents make one dollar or euro.

Examples

• “The postcard cost fifty cents at the harbour kiosk.”
• “The locker needs two euros in cents, not a note.”
• “She counted the cents on the café counter before tipping.”

Good to know

fifty cents / 100 cents = €1 or $1. British cousin: penny. Mix-up: sent, scent.

Near in meaning

penny

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