novemdecillion
C2Highly formal, academic
Definition
Meaning
A cardinal number equal to 1 followed by 60 zeros (short scale) or 1 followed by 114 zeros (long scale).
A term for an unfathomably large number, primarily used in theoretical mathematics, astronomy, and cosmology when discussing quantities like particle counts or possible combinations.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In modern English, especially in the United States and for scientific purposes, the short scale (10^60) is standard. The long scale (10^114), once common in British English, is now largely archaic for this word. The term is used almost exclusively in theoretical or illustrative contexts, not for practical calculation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Historically, Britain used the long scale (10^114), while the US used the short scale (10^60). Today, the short scale is dominant globally in scientific English, but the potential for ambiguity exists in older British texts.
Connotations
No affective connotation difference between regions. The word universally connotes an abstract, incomprehensibly vast quantity.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties. Slightly higher potential for historical usage in British English under the long scale.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Number] + novemdecillion + [plural countable noun] (e.g., one novemdecillion atoms)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not in a novemdecillion years (hyperbolic for 'never')”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used. Could appear in hyperbolic projections: 'It would take novemdecillions of transactions to reach that market cap.'
Academic
Used in theoretical mathematics, combinatorics, cosmology, and physics when discussing the number of possible quantum states, permutations, or particles in hypothetical multiverse models.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Used only for hyperbolic exaggeration: 'I've told you a novemdecillion times to clean your room!'
Technical
Precise use in theoretical papers concerning large-number mathematics or cosmology. Requires scale definition (short/long) in any rigorous context.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- You cannot 'novemdecillion' something; it is not used as a verb.
American English
- The term is not used as a verb in American English.
adverb
British English
- It is not used as an adverb.
American English
- No adverbial usage is standard.
adjective
British English
- The novemdecillion-to-one odds made winning the cosmic lottery seem impossible.
American English
- He pondered the novemdecillion possible configurations of the theoretical universe.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The number of stars in the universe is huge, but even a novemdecillion is much, much bigger.
- Some cosmological theories suggest a novemdecillion different parallel universes could exist.
- The number of possible chess games is estimated to be far less than a novemdecillion, highlighting the term's abstract mathematical utility.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'novem' (Latin for nine) and 'dec' (Latin for ten) combined with '-illion'. It's 9+10=19, so it's the nineteenth '-illion' after a million. Or remember: 'No vem deci llion' – It's so big, no one comes ('vem' in Portuguese) to pronounce it all.
Conceptual Metaphor
INFINITY IS AN UNCOUNTABLY LARGE NUMBER; ABSTRACT THEORY IS ASTRONOMICAL SCALE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Russian uses the long scale system by default. A direct translation might assume 10^114, whereas modern English contexts likely mean 10^60. The word has no common direct Russian equivalent; it would be described as 'десять в шестидесятой степени' (short) or 'десять в сто четырнадцатой степени' (long).
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a concrete, countable quantity in everyday contexts.
- Confusing the short and long scale values.
- Misspelling: 'novemdecillion', 'novemdecilion'.
- Incorrect pluralisation: 'novemdecillions' is acceptable but contextually odd.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'novemdecillion' most appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a defined cardinal number in the English naming system for large numbers, though it represents a quantity far beyond any practical, measurable count in the physical universe.
In modern scientific English, assume the short scale (10^60). If reading older British material, be aware of the potential for the long scale (10^114). The context or an explicit definition should clarify.
In the short scale, the next named number is vigintillion (10^63). In the long scale, it would be vigintillion (10^120).
No. It is inappropriate for realistic financial figures. Use it only for extreme, deliberate hyperbole or in illustrative, hypothetical examples.