sextillion: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2formal, technical, scientific
Quick answer
What does “sextillion” mean?
A cardinal number represented by 1 followed by 21 zeros (short scale) or 1 followed by 36 zeros (long scale).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A cardinal number represented by 1 followed by 21 zeros (short scale) or 1 followed by 36 zeros (long scale).
An extremely large, almost inconceivable quantity; used to indicate an astronomical number in mathematics, cosmology, or finance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Historically, British usage followed the long scale (10^36). Modern British English now largely follows the short scale (10^21), aligning with American usage, though long scale references may appear in older texts. American usage is exclusively short scale.
Connotations
Implies extreme scale, typically used in specialized fields like astrophysics, theoretical physics, or economics. In British historical contexts, connotes classical mathematical tradition.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties. Almost exclusively found in academic, scientific, or journalistic contexts discussing very large quantities.
Grammar
How to Use “sextillion” in a Sentence
[NUM] sextillion + [PLURAL NOUN][DET] sextillion + [OF + PLURAL NOUN]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sextillion” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No verb form in standard use.]
American English
- [No verb form in standard use.]
adverb
British English
- [No adverb form in standard use.]
American English
- [No adverb form in standard use.]
adjective
British English
- The estimated cost ran into the sextillion-pound range.
American English
- They calculated a sextillion-dollar theoretical liability.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Potential use in theoretical discussions of global debt, cryptocurrency market caps, or hyperinflation.
Academic
Used in mathematics, cosmology (e.g., number of stars in the observable universe), physics (e.g., Planck time calculations), and economics (theoretical models).
Everyday
Virtually never used. Might appear in sensationalist news headlines for emphasis.
Technical
Standard term in fields dealing with extremely large numbers. Precision of scale (short vs. long) is critical.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sextillion”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sextillion”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sextillion”
- Using it without clarifying the scale (short or long).
- Confusing it with 'sextant' (a navigation instrument).
- Misspelling as 'sextilian' or 'sexillion'.
- Using it in everyday contexts where 'countless' or 'astronomical' would be more appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A short scale sextillion is 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (10^21). A long scale sextillion is 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (10^36).
No, it is an extremely rare word used almost exclusively in specialized scientific, mathematical, or economic contexts dealing with astronomically large quantities.
In the short scale, it is septillion (10^24). In the long scale, it is septillion (10^42).
No, 'sextillion' is strictly a noun or a determiner/quantifier (e.g., 'sextillion particles'). It has no standard verb or adverb forms.
A cardinal number represented by 1 followed by 21 zeros (short scale) or 1 followed by 36 zeros (long scale).
Sextillion is usually formal, technical, scientific in register.
Sextillion: in British English it is pronounced /sɛksˈtɪl.i.ən/, and in American English it is pronounced /sɛksˈtɪl.jən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms with 'sextillion'. This field remains a placeholder.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'SEX' (Latin for six, as in sextant) + 'TRILLION'. It's the sixth '-illion' after a million: million (1), billion (2), trillion (3), quadrillion (4), quintillion (5), SEXTILLION (6). For the short scale, it's a trillion (10^12) times a billion (10^9) = 10^21.
Conceptual Metaphor
A NUMBER IS SIZE; A LARGE NUMBER IS A LARGE PHYSICAL OBJECT (e.g., 'a mountain of debt measured in sextillions').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'sextillion' MOST appropriately used?