Million Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
💰
million
[ˈmɪljən ]
Definitions
amount of money
A million is a very large number consisting of one followed by six zeros. It is often used to describe a significant amount of money.
Synonyms
a thousand thousand, gazillion, mega.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| million |
The word 'million' is the same as the first entry and should not be listed twice. |
| a thousand thousand |
This phrase is a more formal or old-fashioned way to say 'million'. It's rarely used in everyday conversation but may appear in literature or formal writing.
|
| mega |
Often used as a prefix to denote something very large or important. It can be used in both technical and casual contexts.
|
| gazillion |
Typically used in informal contexts to exaggerate or imply an extremely large, non-specific number. It has a playful and hyperbolic tone.
|
Examples of usage
- The lottery winner received a million dollars in prize money.
- The company made a profit of over a million last year.
population
A million can also refer to a population of one million people or things.
Synonyms
a thousand thousand, gazillion, mega.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| million |
See the first entry for 'million'. |
| a thousand thousand |
This phrase is more literary or poetic and seldom used in modern conversation. It might be encountered in older texts or used for stylistic purposes.
|
| mega |
This prefix is used in informal contexts or when referring to something very large or great, often in the context of digital data or emphasizing the magnitude of something.
|
| gazillion |
This word is informal and often used in exaggeration or humor to imply a very large, but indefinite, number.
|
Examples of usage
- The city has a population of over a million residents.
- The zoo welcomed its one millionth visitor of the year.
general large quantity
In a more general sense, a million can be used to describe a large quantity of something.
Synonyms
a thousand thousand, gazillion, mega.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| million |
This is a standard term used in formal and informal settings to refer to the number 1,000,000.
|
| a thousand thousand |
This is an alternative way to say 'million' but is not commonly used in everyday language. It might be found in more technical or educational texts.
|
| mega |
A prefix often used in technological contexts to denote a factor of one million (like megabyte). It can also informally mean 'very large' or 'huge'.
|
| gazillion |
An informal, humorous way to refer to an extremely large, unspecified number. Not to be used in formal writings.
|
Examples of usage
- There must be a million reasons why he didn't come.
- I've told you a million times to be careful!
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Mathematics
- A million can be expressed as 10^6, which means it's 1 followed by six zeros.
- In decimals, a million is represented as 1.0 million, used primarily in finance and data analysis.
Cultural Significance
- In many cultures, having a million of something, like dollars, is often seen as a major milestone of wealth and success.
- The phrase 'a million memories' is often used to denote cherished experiences in life.
Science
- In biology, a million cells is a common measurement used in cell cultures and scientific experiments.
- In astronomy, a million light-years is a way of measuring vast distances between galaxies!
Pop Culture
- Many songs or movies reference becoming a millionaire as a way to depict dreams of wealth and happiness, like in the song 'If I Had a Million Dollars'.
- Various game shows often feature challenges or prizes involving a million dollars, emphasizing its allure.
Origin of 'million'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Italian word 'milione', which means 'a thousand thousands'.
- Its first recorded use in English dates back to the late 14th century.
The word 'million' originated from the Middle French word 'million', which in turn came from the Italian word 'milione', meaning 'big thousand'. The concept of a million as a large number has been recognized for centuries, with the use of the word dating back to the 14th century.
See also: millionaire.