kilometre
3 synonyms for kilometre, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A metric unit of distance equal to 1,000 metres, abbreviated km.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
km
klick
How to use kilometre
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
kilometres per hour
a few kilometres away
run a kilometre
Etymology
From French kilomètre, combining Greek khilioi ("thousand") with metron ("measure").
Full origin of kilometre →Frequently asked questions
What does “kilometre” mean?
The word “kilometre” means a metric unit of distance equal to 1,000 metres, abbreviated km. In plain terms, a distance measurement equal to 1,000 metres, used almost everywhere in the world except the US.
How do you pronounce “kilometre”?
“Kilometre” is pronounced kih-LOM-ih-tuh (/kɪˈlɑ.mɪ.təɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “kilometre” in a sentence?
Here is “kilometre” used in a sentence: “The nearest town is about ten kilometres away.”
What part of speech is “kilometre”?
“Kilometre” is a noun.
Where does the word “kilometre” come from?
The word “kilometre” comes from French. From French kilomètre, combining Greek khilioi ("thousand") with metron ("measure").
Is “kilometre” a common word?
“Kilometre” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
