ENGLISH
REFERENCE

millions

n. C / U
A2 Elementary US //ˈmɪɫjənz// UK //mˈɪliənz// mil·lions

n. a very large number, specifically several groups of one million. You use this to talk about a huge amount of people, money, or things.

n. the plural form of the cardinal number 1,000,000, used to denote multiple units of that value or an indefinitely large quantity. Often functions as a collective noun followed by the preposition 'of'.


SIMPLE

Millions of people watch the game every year.

CONTEXTUAL

The charity raised millions of dollars to help build new schools in the region.

COMPLEX

While the city's population is counted in the millions, the infrastructure was originally designed for a much smaller and more concentrated demographic.

Synonyms
Usage

When used as a specific number (e.g., 'two million'), it remains singular; when used to mean 'a large, indefinite number', it takes the plural 'millions' and requires 'of' before a noun.

Pitfall

five millions peoplefive million peopleWhen a specific number precedes 'million', the word stays singular and drops 'of'. Use 'millions' only for indefinite, large amounts.

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