gazillion
Gazillion (noun) means an enormous, deliberately vague number, used informally rather than as an exact figure. Example: “There must be a gazillion emails sitting in my inbox.”
How to use gazillion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn exaggerated way of saying "a huge number," not a real quantity.
Informal and humorous — avoid in formal or technical writing.
Word forms
gazillions plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
There must be a _____ emails sitting in my inbox.
Etymology
A playful 20th-century coinage modelled on real number words like million and billion, with the exaggerated-sounding "gaz-" front used purely for comic effect.
Related words
Rhymes for gazillion
Frequently asked questions
What does “gazillion” mean?
The word “gazillion” means an enormous, deliberately vague number, used informally rather than as an exact figure. In plain terms, an exaggerated way of saying "a huge number," not a real quantity.
How do you pronounce “gazillion”?
“Gazillion” is pronounced guh-ZIHL-yuhn (/ɡəˈzɪljən/ in IPA).
How do you use “gazillion” in a sentence?
Here is “gazillion” used in a sentence: “There must be a gazillion emails sitting in my inbox.”
What part of speech is “gazillion”?
“Gazillion” is a noun.
Where does the word “gazillion” come from?
The word “gazillion” dates back to around 1900. A playful 20th-century coinage modelled on real number words like million and billion, with the exaggerated-sounding "gaz-" front used purely for comic effect.