If you’re questioning whether “center” and “centre” mean the same thing, the answer is that they do. Both are correct spellings of the noun which can mean, “the middle point or part of something”; or “a building or place used for a particular purpose or activity”.
Center vs. centre
The meaning of “center” and “centre” is the same (both refer to the same concept; i.e., a central point or place). The difference between the spellings lies in regional spelling conventions and preferences:
The center of the hurricane was directly over the city.
London is a major centre for international finance.
The report centers around the company’s new strategy, but it should centre on the customer experience.
The meeting will center at 3pm in the conference centre.
- US English spells “center” with “er” at the end;
- British English, “centre” is the common spelling.
Definition of centre/center
The word center/centre can be a noun or a verb. As a noun, it has similar but slightly different meanings and uses:
- To refer to the middle point or part of something; e.g., “caramels with soft centers“.
- To mean the main part of a town or city where there are a lot of shops and offices; e.g., “major urban/industrial centers“.
As a verb, center/centre refers to “the person or thing around which most activity takes place; to make somebody/something the central person or thing”. An example of “centre” as a verb is in the sentence, “Conversation centered around their wedding plans”.
Other “-er”/”-re” words
Other words that share the “-er” / “-re” suffix follow the same spelling convention. Likewise, these words also conform to the same regional spellings rules:
Sentences with centre/center
| Word Form | Examples |
|---|---|
| Other | There was a long table in the center/centre of the room.
The statue is in the very center/centre of the temple. He walked to the center/centre of the circle. The university is a leading center/centre for scientific research. Small towns in South India serve as economic and cultural centers/centres for the surrounding villages. |
The spelling of “centre” vs. “center,” associate “centre” with the UK, where it’s the standard spelling, and “center” with the US, where it’s standard.
Synonyms of centre/centre
- heart
- hub
- place
- midpoint (adjective)
Origin of centre/centre
From Etymonline:
|
Late 14c., “middle point of a circle; point round which something revolves,” from Old French centre (14c.), from Latin centrum “center,” originally the fixed point of the two points of a drafting compass, from Greek kentron “sharp point, goad, sting of a wasp”. |
Learn more about US English vs. UK English
- Which is it: “Favorite” or “Favourite”?
- Is it Spelled Metre or Meter?
- Which is Correct: Honour or Honor?
- Is it “Behaviour” or “Behavior”?
- Is it “Labour” or “Labor”?
- Color or Colour (Which is Correct?)
- Favour or Favor (Which is Correct?)
Worksheet
According to the blog post, what is the main difference between “center” and “centre”?
Which spelling is typically used in US English?
Which spelling is typically used in UK English?
The blog post emphasizes the importance of consistency when using “center” or “centre”. What does this mean?
According to the post, the word “center/centre” can function as a noun or a what?
In UK English, London is considered a major _____ for international finance.
The eye of the hurricane was directly over the city’s _____. (Using US spelling)
Small towns often serve as economic and cultural _____ for surrounding villages.
Her presentation will _____ on the key findings of the report.
Words like theatre/theater and metre/meter follow the same regional spelling pattern as center/_____.
FAQs
Do center and centre mean different things?
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Where are center and centre used?
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Can center/centre be a verb?
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Should I mix center and centre spellings?
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What does center/centre mean as a noun?
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Sources
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👍🏼Usage Note
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The center of the hurricane was directly over the city.
-
London is a major centre for international finance.
-
The report centers around the company’s new strategy, but it should centre on the customer experience.
-
The meeting will center at 3pm in the conference centre.
-
US English spells “center” with “er” at the end;
-
British English, “centre” is the common spelling.
-
Definition of centre/center
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The word center/centre can be a noun or a verb. As a noun, it has similar but slightly different meanings and uses:
-
To refer to the middle point or part of something; e.g., “caramels with soft centers“.
-
To mean the main part of a town or city where there are a lot of shops and offices; e.g., “major urban/industrial centers“.
-
As a verb, center/centre refers to “the person or thing around which most activity takes place; to make somebody/something the central person or thing”. An example of “centre” as a verb is in the sentence, “Conversation centered around their wedding plans”.
-
Other “-er”/”-re” words
-
Other words that share the “-er” / “-re” suffix follow the same spelling convention. Likewise, these words also conform to the same regional spellings rules:
-
Sentences with centre/center
-
There was a long table in the center/centre of the room.
-
The statue is in the very center/centre of the temple.
-
He walked to the center/centre of the circle.
-
The university is a leading center/centre for scientific research.
-
Small towns in South India serve as economic and cultural centers/centres for the surrounding villages.
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💡Study Tip
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The spelling of “centre” vs. “center,” associate “centre” with the UK, where it’s the standard spelling, and “center” with the US, where it’s standard.
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Synonyms of centre/centre
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midpoint (adjective)
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Origin of centre/centre
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From Etymonline:
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Late 14c., “middle point of a circle; point round which something revolves,” from Old French centre (14c.), from Latin centrum “center,” originally the fixed point of the two points of a drafting compass, from Greek kentron “sharp point, goad, sting of a wasp”.
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Learn more about US English vs. UK English
-
Which is it: “Favorite” or “Favourite”?
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Is it Spelled Metre or Meter?
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Which is Correct: Honour or Honor?
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Is it “Behaviour” or “Behavior”?
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Is it “Labour” or “Labor”?
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Color or Colour (Which is Correct?)
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Favour or Favor (Which is Correct?)
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Question 1 of 10
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Which is grammatically correct?
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First option
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Second option
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What makes a sentence grammatically correct?
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Proper structure
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Right words
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Clear meaning
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Question 3: What is the main focus of this grammar content?
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Grammar rules
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Sentence structure
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Question 4: Which is most important for proper grammar?
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Correct spelling
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Proper structure
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Clear meaning
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Question 5: Grammar rules help with:
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Writing clearly
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Speaking correctly
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Understanding text
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Question 6: What is the main focus of this grammar content?
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Grammar rules
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Sentence structure
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Question 7: Which is most important for proper grammar?
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Correct spelling
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Proper structure
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Clear meaning
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Question 8: Grammar rules help with:
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Writing clearly
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Speaking correctly
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Understanding text
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Question 9: What is the main focus of this grammar content?
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Grammar rules
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Sentence structure
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Question 10: Which is most important for proper grammar?
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Correct spelling
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Proper structure
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Clear meaning
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Which aspect is most important when learning grammar?
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MemorizationPracticeReadingAll of the above
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How can you improve your grammar skills?
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Study rules onlyPractice with examplesIgnore mistakesSpeed reading
- Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of centre.” Online Etymology Dictionary, Accessed 11 February, 2024.
- Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, centre.
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