noun
Uncommon
billionaire
bihl-ee-uh-NEH-uh
Billionaire (noun) means a person whose net worth is a billion or more in some currency. Example: “The tech founder became a billionaire before turning thirty.”
noun
1
A person whose net worth is a billion or more in some currency.
"The tech founder became a billionaire before turning thirty."
How to use billionaire
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone extremely wealthy, worth at least a billion dollars (or another currency).
Common pairings
self-made billionaire
tech billionaire
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Word forms
- Plural
- billionaires
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The tech founder became a _____ before turning thirty.
Etymology
Formed from billion plus the suffix -aire, modeled on millionaire.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for billionaire
See all rhymes for billionaire →Frequently asked questions
What does “billionaire” mean?
The word “billionaire” means a person whose net worth is a billion or more in some currency. In plain terms, someone extremely wealthy, worth at least a billion dollars (or another currency).
How do you pronounce “billionaire”?
“Billionaire” is pronounced bihl-ee-uh-NEH-uh (/ˌbɪl.jəˈnɛɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “billionaire” in a sentence?
Here is “billionaire” used in a sentence: “The tech founder became a billionaire before turning thirty.”
What part of speech is “billionaire”?
“Billionaire” is a noun.
Is “billionaire” a common word?
“Billionaire” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a billionaire and a millionaire?
A billionaire has a net worth of a billion or more in some currency, while a millionaire has a net worth of at least a million. A billionaire is therefore a thousand times wealthier than someone who qualifies only as a millionaire.
Is billionaire status based on income or total wealth?
Billionaire status is based on total net worth, meaning the value of all assets minus debts, rather than annual income. Someone can be a billionaire on paper through asset value, such as business ownership or investments, without that wealth being in cash.
Can billionaire status change over time?
Yes, because net worth depends on the value of assets like stocks, property, and businesses, a person's status as a billionaire can rise or fall as those values fluctuate. Someone can gain or lose billionaire status as markets change.
