numeral

googolplex

GOO-guhl-pleks

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Googolplex (numeral) means the number ten raised to the power of a googol, written as 10 to the power of 10 to the power of 100. Example: “A googolplex is so large that it could never be written out in full using ordinary digits.”

numeral

The number ten raised to the power of a googol, written as 10 to the power of 10 to the power of 100.

"A googolplex is so large that it could never be written out in full using ordinary digits."

"The professor used a googolplex to show pupils just how huge some numbers can get."

"No physical object in the universe could hold a googolplex of anything."

How to use googolplex

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn enormous number, ten multiplied by itself a googol number of times.

When to use it

It belongs mainly to popular maths writing and casual talk about very large numbers, rather than formal mathematics.

Memory tip

Do not confuse it with Googleplex, the name of Google's headquarters, which is spelled and pronounced almost the same.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

googol → Googleplex

Common pairings

a googolplex of larger than a googolplex the number googolplex

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A _____ is so large that it could never be written out in full using ordinary digits.

Etymology

Formed from googol, itself a coined number name, with the suffix -plex. The word was coined in 1920 by the young American Milton Sirotta, nephew of the mathematician Edward Kasner, and first appeared in print in the 1940 book Mathematics and the Imagination.

Origin: English

Frequently asked questions

What is a googolplex?

It is the number ten to the power of a googol, an almost unimaginably large figure.

Who invented the word googolplex?

It was coined in 1920 by Milton Sirotta, the young nephew of mathematician Edward Kasner.

Is a googolplex bigger than a googol?

Yes, a googolplex is vastly larger, since it raises ten to the power of a googol rather than to the power of 100.

What is the meaning of googolplex?

"googolplex" (numeral) means the number ten raised to the power of a googol, written as 10 to the power of 10 to the power of 100.