Thousand Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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thousand

[หˆฮธaสŠzษ™nd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

number

Equivalent to ten hundreds or 1,000 (cardinal number). A thousand is often represented by the numeral 1,000 or the word 'thousand'. It is used to denote a large quantity or amount.

Synonyms

k, one thousand.

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Word Description / Examples
thousand

The word 'thousand' is used in everyday conversation to quantify large, rounded numbers.

  • She has read thousands of books in her lifetime.
  • They traveled thousands of miles across the country.
one thousand

Use 'one thousand' in formal writing or speech for emphasis when referring to the numerical value of 1000.

  • The company donated one thousand dollars to the charity.
  • The project's budget is one thousand euros.
k

'K' is often used informally, especially in digital communication and social media, as an abbreviation for 'thousand'.

  • The video received 20k views in just one day.
  • He has over 15k followers on Instagram.

Examples of usage

  • There were a thousand people at the concert last night.
  • She earned a thousand dollars for her work on the project.
  • The book weighs over a thousand pages.
Context #2 | Noun

mythology

In various mythologies and folklore, a thousand is often used as a symbolic number representing infinity, eternity, or a very large, uncountable quantity.

Examples of usage

  • The hero traveled a thousand miles to reach his destination.
  • The treasure was guarded by a thousand dragons.
  • They waited for a thousand years for the prophecy to come true.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Significance

  • In medieval times, large numbers like a thousand were often used to denote wealth or resources in terms of land or livestock.
  • The concept of counting in thousands has been critical for trade and commerce, allowing for easier quantification of goods.

Math and Science

  • In mathematics, a thousand is represented as 10^3, which means 10 multiplied by itself three times (10 x 10 x 10).
  • The metric system uses 'kilo' to represent a thousand, such as in kilometers (1,000 meters) or kilograms (1,000 grams).

Pop Culture

  • Songs and movies have popularized phrases like 'a thousand and one nights', referring to the famous tale collection from Scheherazade in Arabian Nights.
  • The term 'thousand' is often used in challenges or competitions, especially in phrases like 'thousand-dollar question' in quiz shows.

Psychology

  • Research in psychology shows that people often associate large numbers like a thousand with security and stability in their lives.
  • The 'thousand-year' concept is often used in discussions about goals and aspirations, suggesting that great achievements take time to build.

Origin of 'thousand'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'thousand' comes from the Old English 'รพลซsend', which was used to describe a collection of a thousand items.
  • In many languages, the root of the word for 'thousand' derives from a Proto-Indo-European language, showing a shared heritage among different cultures.

The word 'thousand' originated from the Old English word 'รพลซsend', which is related to the Old High German 'dusunt' and the Gothic 'thusundi'. The concept of a thousand has been used throughout history as a way to quantify large numbers or symbolize infinity. In various cultures and mythologies, the number one thousand holds significance and is often associated with power, abundance, and eternity.


Word Frequency Rank

At #839 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.