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0 English - Monolingual Dictionary

Billion

ˈbɪljən
Very common
~ 2500
~ 2500, Very common
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
One thousand million (1,000,000,000), A very large number or amount

Billion - Meanings

One thousand million (1,000,000,000)

Example: The company's revenue reached over a billion dollars last year.
Usage: formalContext: business, finance, economics
Note: In American English, a billion is equivalent to 1,000 million (1 billion = 1,000,000,000).

A very large number or amount

Example: There are billions of stars in the universe.
Usage: informalContext: general conversations, science, astronomy
Note: This usage is more common in British English where a billion is equivalent to a million million (1 billion = 1,000,000,000,000).

Billion's synonyms

billion

A billion is a cardinal number equal to 1,000 million.
Example: The company made a profit of over a billion dollars last year.
Note: No significant difference in meaning, just another way to express the same quantity.

milliard

Milliard is a term used in some countries to refer to a thousand million, equivalent to a billion.
Example: In some European countries, a milliard is used to represent a billion.
Note: Primarily used in European countries, especially in French-speaking regions, as an alternative to billion.

thousand million

Thousand million is a term used to represent a billion, indicating a quantity of one thousand million.
Example: The population of the city is estimated to be over a thousand million.
Note: A more descriptive way to express the numerical value of a billion, particularly emphasizing the magnitude of the number.

Billion expressions, common phrases

A drop in the ocean

This phrase means that something is insignificant or unimportant compared to a much larger amount or issue.
Example: To him, a billion dollars was just a drop in the ocean compared to his overall wealth.
Note: The phrase 'a drop in the ocean' emphasizes the smallness or insignificance of something in relation to a larger whole, in contrast to the vastness of a billion.

A dime a dozen

This idiom means something is very common and therefore of little value or easy to get.
Example: In the technology industry, startups are a dime a dozen, but only a few succeed.
Note: The idiom 'a dime a dozen' highlights the abundance and lack of uniqueness of something, contrasting with the rareness or value associated with a billion.

Billions and billions

This phrase emphasizes an extremely large number or quantity, often used to describe astronomical figures.
Example: The universe is vast, with billions and billions of stars.
Note: The repetitive use of 'billions and billions' serves to emphasize the sheer magnitude of the number being referred to, highlighting the immensity in a vivid and almost poetic manner.

A billion-dollar question

This phrase refers to a crucial or very important question that has significant implications or consequences.
Example: The impact of climate change on future generations is a billion-dollar question that policymakers must address.
Note: The term 'a billion-dollar question' suggests that the question is of immense value or importance, metaphorically equating it to a billion-dollar worth, distinct from the literal quantity of a billion.

One in a billion

This idiom indicates extreme rarity, suggesting that something or someone is very unique or special.
Example: Finding a soulmate who truly understands you is like finding one in a billion.
Note: The expression 'one in a billion' underscores the exceptional nature of something, contrasting it with the vastness and commonality associated with a billion.

Billion everyday (slang) expressions

Big bucks

Refers to a large amount of money, typically in the millions or billions.
Example: That new car must have cost him big bucks.
Note: Used informally and mainly in spoken language to emphasize a significant amount of money.

Zillion

An exaggerated way of saying an extremely large or unspecified number.
Example: I've told you a zillion times to clean up your room!
Note: Emphasizes a very large quantity in a playful or informal manner.

Loads of cash

Indicates having a significant amount of money, often in the millions or billions.
Example: He made loads of cash from his new business venture.
Note: Conveys a sense of abundance and wealth in a casual and colloquial manner.

Tons of money

Expresses the idea of having a large sum of money, typically in millions or billions.
Example: Investing in the stock market can make you tons of money if you're lucky.
Note: Considered a more casual and conversational way of describing a substantial financial gain.

A boatload of cash

Refers to an enormous amount of money, usually in the millions or billions.
Example: She inherited a boatload of cash from her distant relative.
Note: An informal expression used to emphasize a large sum of money received unexpectedly or in abundance.

Billion - Examples

The company earned billions of dollars last year.
He is a billionaire businessman.
There are billions of stars in the universe.

Billion grammar

Billion - Numeral (Numeral) / Cardinal number (Cardinal number)
Lemma: billion
Conjugations
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): billions, billion
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): billion
Syllabification and Stress
billion Contains 2 syllables: bil • lion
Phonetic transcription: ˈbi(l)-yən
bil lion , ˈbi(l) yən (The red syllable is stressed)

Billion - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
billion: ~ 2500 (Very common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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