Squillion

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈskwɪljən/

Definitions

1. An extremely large number that is indefinite or incalculable, typically used humorously or colloquially rather than in precise mathematical contexts
2. A vast and unspecified quantity that conveys an exaggerated amount, often utilized in informal discussions to emphasize boundlessness
3. An enormous figure that cannot be accurately defined, usually employed in a humorous context to suggest excess

Etymology: "Squillion" is a playful coinage built on the "-illion" ending that English uses for large number names such as "million," "billion," and "trillion." Those words follow a pattern in which the ending marks a power of a thousand or a million, so tacking "-illion" onto a word meaning a huge quantity makes a number that sounds official while meaning nothing precise. The first syllable, "squ-," appears to be an imitative or expressive sound, the kind of blend used in informal speech to add comic emphasis and a sense of sprawling excess. Its exact source is not firmly established, so the force of the word lies mostly in its sound: the ending suggests mathematics, while the opening suggests a shrug. The result is a figure that sounds like a precise count but is offered as an exaggeration.

Synonyms: million, zillion