kilo-
/ˌkɪl.ə-/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.13 in modern English
8
Scrabble Score
4
Letters
2
Syllables
4
Unique Chars
Meaning
prefix
In the International System of Units and other metric systems of units, multiplying the unit to which it is attached by a thousand (1000).
prefix
Synonym of kibi- (“multiplying the unit to which it is attached by 2¹⁰ = 1024”).
Etymology
Borrowed from French kilo-, irregularly derived from Ancient Greek χίλιοι (khílioi, “one thousand”). The etymologically "correct" form would be chili- or chilo-, resulting in forms such as chiliasme (“chiliasm”) or chilopode (“centipede”); but the French, when creating the prefix, had to avoid a possible (standard) pronunciation of chi as /ʃi/, too close to the vulgar verb chier (“to shit”).
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: *ǵʰes-, χίλιοι
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˌkɪl.ə-/
- British English: /ˌkɪl.ə-/
Frequently Paired Words
mul:k-