tredecillion: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely RareFormal, Technical (Mathematics, Astronomy, Theoretical Physics)
Quick answer
What does “tredecillion” mean?
A cardinal number represented in the U.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A cardinal number represented in the U.S. and modern British usage by 1 followed by 42 zeros (10^42) and, in older British usage, by 1 followed by 78 zeros (10^78).
An extremely large, hyperbolic number used to describe an inconceivably vast quantity, primarily in theoretical or illustrative contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Historically, the UK used the long scale (10^78), while the US used the short scale (10^42). Since 1974, the UK has officially adopted the short scale for most official and scientific use, aligning with American usage. Archaic or very traditional British texts may still reference the long scale value.
Connotations
No distinct connotations. The difference is purely numerical and historical.
Frequency
The word is vanishingly rare in both dialects, appearing almost exclusively in specialist discussions of large numbers or for rhetorical effect. The modern, aligned short-scale meaning is most frequent globally.
Grammar
How to Use “tredecillion” in a Sentence
NUM + tredecillion + (of + NOUN)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tredecillion” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The tredecillion figure was cited in the cosmology paper.
American English
- They discussed a tredecillion-dollar theoretical deficit.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. If used, it would be hyperbolic, e.g., 'The potential market is worth tredecillions, but that's just speculation.'
Academic
Used in pure mathematics (number theory), cosmology (estimating particles in the observable universe), and combinatorics. Example: 'The number of possible chess games is estimated to be over a tredecillion.'
Everyday
Extremely rare. Used for hyperbolic exaggeration for humour or emphasis. Example: 'I've told you a tredecillion times to clean your room!'
Technical
Precise use in fields dealing with extremely large quantities, such as cryptography (possible key combinations) or physics (theoretical particle counts).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tredecillion”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “tredecillion”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tredecillion”
- Mispronouncing it as 'tree-deh-SILLY-on'.
- Confusing its value between long and short scales without specifying context.
- Using it in any serious, non-hyperbolic non-technical context, which sounds absurd.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It's an almost unimaginably large number. In the system used by most of the world today (short scale), it's a 1 with 42 zeros after it.
Historically, yes. Britain used to define it as 10^78 (long scale), while the US used 10^42 (short scale). Since 1974, Britain officially uses the short scale (10^42), so the meanings are now the same in modern usage.
Almost never in daily life. You might encounter it in advanced mathematics, theoretical physics, or as an exaggerated joke (e.g., 'I've asked you a tredecillion times!').
In the short scale, the next number is a quattuordecillion (10^45).
Tredecillion is usually formal, technical (mathematics, astronomy, theoretical physics) in register.
Tredecillion: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtriːdɛˈsɪlɪən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtriːdəˈsɪljən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not worth a tredecillion”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'TRE' (like 'tre' in 'treble' for three) + 'DEC' (like 'decade' for ten) + 'ILLION'. It's the 13th '-illion' number (3+10=13).
Conceptual Metaphor
NUMERICAL HYPERBOLE (representing an unimaginable, near-infinite quantity).
Practice
Quiz
Which field is MOST likely to use the term 'tredecillion' in a precise, non-hyperbolic way?