How to pronounce quadrillion
Say it like kwah-DRIL-ee-un. Quadrillion has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (DRIL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce quadrillion. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kwah
- DRIL
- ee
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Quadrillion pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kwahKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- DRILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of quadrillion
- American English uses 4 syllables and British English 3.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: kwo-DRIL-yun.
What does quadrillion mean?
- A thousand trillion (logic: 1,000 × 1,000⁴): 1 followed by fifteen zeros, 10¹⁵.
- A million trillion (logic: 1,000,000⁴): 1 followed by twenty-four zeros, 10²⁴.
- Any very large number, exceeding normal description.
Where does quadrillion come from?
From French quadrillion, from quadri- (“four”) + -illion.
Words that rhyme with quadrillion
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of quadrillion.
Questions about saying quadrillion
How do you pronounce quadrillion?
Say kwah-DRIL-ee-un. The American pronunciation is /kwɑˈdrɪliən/. In British English it is /kwɒˈdrɪljən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in quadrillion?
Quadrillion has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (DRIL). Broken into parts: kwah · DRIL · ee · un.
Is quadrillion pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 4 syllables and British English 3. The British form is /kwɒˈdrɪljən/ (kwo-DRIL-yun).