meg: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, Technical (in computing context)
Quick answer
What does “meg” mean?
A colloquial or informal unit meaning one million of something, often used with currency, bytes, or other quantities.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A colloquial or informal unit meaning one million of something, often used with currency, bytes, or other quantities.
In computing, an abbreviation for megabyte or megapixel. Informally, any large amount or significant thing. Sometimes used as a nickname.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is broadly similar. 'Meg' as a nickname might be slightly more common in the UK. The financial slang 'meg' for a million pounds/dollars is understood in both.
Connotations
In both varieties, it implies casualness, modernity, and often tech-savviness. Can sound slightly dated or niche outside specific circles.
Frequency
Low frequency in general corpora but moderate in specific domains like tech forums, gaming, and informal finance.
Grammar
How to Use “meg” in a Sentence
NUM + meg (e.g., 'five meg')meg + of + NOUN (e.g., 'a meg of data')Verb + meg (e.g., 'earn a meg')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “meg” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He absolutely megged the defender with that pass! (football/soccer slang: to play the ball through an opponent's legs).
adjective
British English
- It's a meg file, so it'll take a while to download.
American English
- That's a meg deal for the startup.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Informal shorthand for a million units of currency in reports or conversations (e.g., 'The deal is for five meg').
Academic
Rare except in computer science or digital media papers as an informal abbreviation for megabyte/megapixel.
Everyday
Used among friends or online for large amounts (money, data). Also as a personal nickname.
Technical
Common in IT, gaming, and photography for megabyte or megapixel. (e.g., 'It's a 12-meg camera').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meg”
- Using 'meg' in formal writing.
- Incorrect capitalization (not 'Meg' unless it's a name).
- Assuming it always means megabyte without context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is informal. It is recognized as a colloquial abbreviation, especially in technical and financial slang.
No, it depends on context. It can mean a million of anything (e.g., dollars, pounds, bytes, pixels). The surrounding words clarify the unit.
Generally, no. You should use the full term like 'million', 'megabytes (MB)', or 'megapixels (MP)' for clarity and formality.
Both can mean 'million', but 'mil' is more common in finance (e.g., 'ten mil'). 'Meg' has stronger associations with computing and data.
A colloquial or informal unit meaning one million of something, often used with currency, bytes, or other quantities.
Meg is usually informal, technical (in computing context) in register.
Meg: in British English it is pronounced /mɛɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /mɛɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Go meg (achieve something significant/informal)”
- “Not worth a meg (worthless)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MEGabytes or MEGa millions. The word 'mega' means huge, and 'meg' is its short, punchy cousin.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUANTITY IS SIZE (a 'meg' is a large, measurable chunk).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'meg' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?