gillion: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, historical, financial
Quick answer
What does “gillion” mean?
A number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000); one billion.
In British English, historically and occasionally still, a thousand million (10^9). In modern, most common international usage, it has been largely superseded by 'billion' (10^9). It can also be used colloquially to mean an indefinitely large number.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term was used in UK English, especially pre-1970s, to mean a thousand million (the modern US billion). In modern UK English, 'billion' (10^9) is standard. The term is essentially extinct in American English, where 'billion' has always meant 10^9.
Connotations
In the UK: historical, technical, possibly old-fashioned. In the US: virtually unknown or perceived as a non-standard/foreign term.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties. Higher likelihood in older UK financial documents or historical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “gillion” in a Sentence
NUMERICAL DETERMINER + gillion + of + NOUN (plural)a/one gillion + NOUN (plural)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gillion” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The gillion figure was quoted in the 1960s prospectus.
- It was a gillion-pound industry.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, only in historical financial reports or specific long-scale jurisdictions.
Academic
Used in historical linguistics or discussions of numbering systems.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Might be used humorously for emphasis ('a gillion times').
Technical
Possible in very specific fields like astronomy or high finance using the long scale.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gillion”
- Using 'gillion' to mean 'million'.
- Assuming 'gillion' is a standard modern synonym for 'billion'.
- Spelling as 'jillion' (which is informal).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern international and American English, 'billion' (10^9) is the standard term that replaced the archaic 'gillion'. Historically, in British English, they meant the same thing.
No. It is considered archaic. Use 'billion' for 1,000,000,000, unless you are specifically quoting or discussing historical texts.
'Gillion' was a specific, formal term for 10^9. 'Zillion' and 'jillion' are informal, hyperbolic words for an indefinitely large number with no specific numerical value.
Virtually none. Most of the world uses the short scale (billion = 10^9). Some European languages use 'milliard' for 10^9, which was the equivalent of 'gillion'.
A number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000).
Gillion is usually formal, historical, financial in register.
Gillion: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡɪl.i.ən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡɪl.i.ən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not worth a gillion”
- “A gillion to one chance”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'GILL' like a fish has millions of scales, but a GILL-ION is even more – a thousand million.
Conceptual Metaphor
LARGENESS IS ASTRONOMICAL / LARGENESS IS EXAGGERATION
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate modern equivalent of the archaic term 'gillion'?