noun

zillion

ZIHL-yuhn

Zillion (noun) means an extremely large, unspecified number. Example: “I've told you a zillion times to lock the door.”

noun

An extremely large, unspecified number.

"I've told you a zillion times to lock the door."

"There must be a zillion emails in my inbox by now."

How to use zillion

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA made-up huge number, used for exaggeration rather than any precise amount.

When to use it

Informal and hyperbolic — never used in technical or formal contexts.

Common pairings

a zillion times a zillion dollars

Word forms

zillions plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “zillion” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

I've told you a _____ times to lock the door.

Etymology

An invented word from around 1916, modeled loosely on "million," "billion," and "trillion" but with no exact value.

· First attested 1916

Class of 1916 zillion joined the language around 1916.

blimp dada photon realtor Technicolor

See the full Class of 1916 →

Synonyms

View more →

million billion trillion gazillion jillion

Related words

million billion trillion gazillion jillion

Rhymes for zillion

region ablation allusion emulsion ideation novation abortion abrasion diffusion elocution extension oxidation

See all rhymes for zillion →

Frequently asked questions

What does “zillion” mean?

The word “zillion” means an extremely large, unspecified number. In plain terms, a made-up huge number, used for exaggeration rather than any precise amount.

How do you pronounce “zillion”?

“Zillion” is pronounced ZIHL-yuhn (/ˈzɪljən/ in IPA).

How do you use “zillion” in a sentence?

Here is “zillion” used in a sentence: “I've told you a zillion times to lock the door.”

What part of speech is “zillion”?

“Zillion” is a noun.

Where does the word “zillion” come from?

The word “zillion” dates back to around 1916. An invented word from around 1916, modeled loosely on "million," "billion," and "trillion" but with no exact value.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include zillion:

Words that start with Z

People also searched

million billion trillion gazillion jillion