nonillion
Very LowFormal / Technical
Definition
Meaning
A cardinal number represented by 1 followed by 30 zeros (short scale) or 1 followed by 54 zeros (long scale).
An extremely large, essentially inconceivable quantity; used primarily in theoretical mathematics, astronomy, and computer science to denote vast numerical values.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Has two conflicting definitions: the short scale (10^30) is standard in modern American English and British English; the long scale (10^54) is historical and used in some older European systems. Context is essential for clarity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant contemporary difference in usage. Both now predominantly use the short scale (10^30). Historically, the long scale was more common in British English, but this is now archaic.
Connotations
Identical connotations of extreme magnitude and technical specificity.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties, appearing almost exclusively in specialized scientific, mathematical, or computational texts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[number] + nonillion + [plural noun]nonillion + of + [plural noun]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used. Might appear in hyperbolic projections of theoretical market sizes.
Academic
Used in theoretical mathematics, cosmology (e.g., estimating particles in the observable universe), and high-level computer science (e.g., computational complexity).
Everyday
Never used. Would be replaced by phrases like 'an uncountably huge number'.
Technical
Primary domain. Used with precise numerical meaning in scientific notation, cryptography (key space size), and astrophysics.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- [No standard verb usage]
American English
- [No standard verb usage]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb usage]
American English
- [No standard adverb usage]
adjective
British English
- The supercomputer performed nonillion operations per second.
- They modelled a nonillion-particle system.
American English
- The cryptographic key had a nonillion possible combinations.
- They discussed a universe with nonillion stars.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- [Too advanced for A2 level]
- A nonillion is a number with thirty zeros.
- The number is so big it is called a nonillion.
- Some estimates suggest there are over a nonillion stars in the observable universe.
- The probability was less than one in a nonillion.
- The algorithm's time complexity was on the order of a nonillion operations, rendering it impractical for real-world use.
- In the short scale, a nonillion is 10^30, whereas in the archaic long scale it denotes 10^54.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'NO' ordinary million is big enough; you need a NONILLION. It's a 'nine' (non-) of illions, far beyond a million, billion, or trillion.
Conceptual Metaphor
NUMERICAL SIZE IS PHYSICAL SIZE / NUMERICAL SIZE IS DISTANCE: 'A nonillion is an astronomical leap from a trillion.'
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- The Russian 'нониллион' (nonillion) historically follows the long scale (10^54), creating a drastic 24-order-of-magnitude mistranslation if the English short-scale text (10^30) is not identified.
- Confusion with 'квадриллион' (quadrillion, 10^15) or 'квинтиллион' (quintillion, 10^18) due to different naming systems.
Common Mistakes
- Using it without clarifying the scale (short vs. long).
- Assuming it is understood in everyday conversation.
- Misspelling as 'nonilion' or 'nonillian'.
- Incorrect pluralisation ('nonillions' is standard).
Practice
Quiz
In which context are you MOST likely to encounter the word 'nonillion'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern American and British English (short scale), it is 10^30, or 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. Historically (long scale), it was 10^54.
No, it is an extremely technical term. In everyday language, people use phrases like 'a ridiculously huge number' or 'more than you can imagine' instead.
In the short scale, the next number is a decillion (10^33). In the historical long scale, the next number after a nonillion (10^54) would be a decillion (10^60).
Due to two different numbering scales: the 'short scale' (where each new -illion term is 1,000 times the previous) and the 'long scale' (where each new -illion term is 1,000,000 times the previous). The short scale is now standard in English.