miles
7 synonyms and 0 antonyms for miles, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adverb — (informal) By a large margin; a lot — used to strengthen a comparison.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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.
How to use miles
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Informal — fine in speech and casual writing, but avoid in formal reports ("significantly better" instead).
Etymology
An informal extension of the noun mile (from Old English mīl, from Latin mīlia, "a thousand paces") — the sense of physical distance stretched into a figure of speech for "by a wide margin."
Full origin of miles →Frequently asked questions
What does “miles” mean?
The word “miles” means (informal) By a large margin; a lot — used to strengthen a comparison. In plain terms, used before a comparative like "better" or "ahead" to mean "by a huge amount.".
How do you pronounce “miles”?
“Miles” is pronounced mylz (/maɪlz/ in IPA).
How do you use “miles” in a sentence?
Here is “miles” used in a sentence: “This new laptop is miles better than my old one.”
What part of speech is “miles”?
“Miles” is an adverb.
Where does the word “miles” come from?
The word “miles” comes from Latin. An informal extension of the noun mile (from Old English mīl, from Latin mīlia, "a thousand paces") — the sense of physical distance stretched into a figure of speech for "by a wide margin.".
Is “miles” a common word?
“Miles” is a very common word in modern English.
What does 'miles better' mean?
'Miles better' means far better, by a large margin. Here 'miles' is used informally as an intensifier, not as a unit of distance — the phrase has nothing to do with actual miles. If one option is miles better than another, it is much, much better, and the gap between them is large.
Is using 'miles' to mean 'a lot' formal or informal?
It is informal and conversational, common in British English especially. You would say 'miles easier' or 'miles ahead' with friends or in casual writing, but in formal reports you would choose 'far,' 'considerably,' or 'significantly' instead. As an intensifier, 'miles' adds a relaxed, emphatic, slightly exaggerated feel.
What is the difference between 'miles better' and 'much better'?
Both strengthen a comparison, but they differ in force and tone. 'Much better' is neutral and works everywhere. 'Miles better' is informal and stronger, suggesting a really large gap — even further than 'much.' You would use 'miles' for emphasis in casual speech, and 'much' in more formal or measured writing.
What is an example of 'miles' used to mean 'a lot'?
It appears before a comparative word to stretch it: 'The new phone is miles faster,' 'She's miles ahead of the rest,' 'This café is miles nicer than the last one.' In each case 'miles' means by a wide margin — a casual, emphatic way of saying far or much.