How to pronounce billions
Say it like BIL-yunz. Billions has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BIL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce billions. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BIL
- yunz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Billions pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- yunzKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of billions
American and British speakers say billions in essentially the same way: /ˈbɪljənz/ in the US and /ˈbɪljənz/ in the UK.
British respelling: BIL-yunz.
What does billions mean?
- plural of billion How to pronounce billion
Questions about saying billions
How do you pronounce billions?
Say BIL-yunz. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɪljənz/. In British English it is /ˈbɪljənz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in billions?
Billions has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BIL). Broken into parts: BIL · yunz.
Do Americans and Brits say billions the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbɪljənz/ and the British form is /ˈbɪljənz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.