millions

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "millions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a large number, such as "There were millions of people at the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

If they are ruling out these extreme cuts for the most disabled and carers, then it is clear they will be hitting the tax credits, and support for children, for millions of working families".

The Guardian

Others made millions of dollars making him richer.

The New York Times

XKeyscore An NSA program that allows analysts to search vast databases of emails, online chats and browsing histories of millions of individuals, with no prior authorisation.

The Guardian

But for millions of Africans, life without these inventions and the innovations based on them is still their daily reality.

The Guardian

It calls on the new government to fully fund council tax support, acknowledging that the scheme costs the councils millions of pounds and has increased the cost of living for some of the poorest.

The Guardian

It is easy to mock the idea of Cameron standing up for the toiling masses while the pockets of his Old Etonian tailcoat bulge with hedge-funded millions.

The Guardian - Opinion

And then there is the money - salary up from £140,000 a year to £850,000 and potentially millions more in share options and incentive schemes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Related: Great Barrier Reef in dire straits without extra $500m and ban on dumping Labor's new plan removes millions of dollars in taxpayer support for dredging at Abbot Point, while requiring that seabed to be dumped onshore next to the port instead of in sensitive wetlands or in reef waters.

The Guardian

He was a Dalit, from the lowest rung of the caste hierarchy that still defines the lives, and sometimes the deaths, of millions of people in the emerging economic power.

The Guardian

The US Senate on Tuesday passed a bill to end the bulk collection of millions of Americans' phone records, ushering in the country's most significant surveillance reform since 1978 two years after NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden's revelations to the Guardian.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

In 2013 Fairfax Media entrusted a digitising business called Rogers Photo Archive in Little Rock, Arkansas, with millions of newspaper photographic prints and negatives dating back as far as the 19th century – from the Sydney Morning Herald, the Sun-Herald, the Australian Financial Review, the Age in Melbourne and 72 New Zealand newspapers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "millions", ensure the context clarifies what is being counted (e.g., "millions of dollars", "millions of people"). This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "millions" directly before a singular noun. Instead of saying "millions dollar", say "millions of dollars" or "millions of dollars were spent".

Linguistic Context

The term "millions" functions primarily as a noun, specifically a plural noun, quantifying other nouns. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig show its use in phrases like "millions of dollars" and "millions of people".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "millions" is a grammatically sound and highly prevalent noun used to quantify large numbers. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to emphasize scale and is appropriate for various registers. When using "millions", remember to specify the unit being quantified (e.g., "millions of dollars") and avoid using it directly before a singular noun. Alternatives include "a massive number" or "a vast quantity", depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a massive number

Replaces the specific quantity with a more general indication of a very large number.

a vast quantity

Similar to "a massive number", but emphasizes the amount or volume.

innumerable amounts

Highlights the inability to count the quantity, suggesting it's too high.

a multitude

Emphasizes the variety and abundance within the large quantity.

a considerable quantity

Indicates a quantity large enough to be worth considering or paying attention to.

a great many

A more formal and less precise way of indicating a large quantity.

a substantial volume

Implies a large quantity, especially in the context of business or industry.

countless instances

Focuses on the number of occurrences or events rather than the amount itself.

a significant proportion

Indicates that a large and important segment of a whole is being referred to.

legions of

A more dramatic and figurative way of saying a large number, often referring to people.

FAQs

How is the word "millions" used in a sentence?

The word "millions" typically quantifies nouns, indicating a large number. For example, "The project cost "millions of dollars"" or "Millions of people attended the event".

What can I say instead of "millions"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a massive number", "a vast quantity", or "innumerable amounts".

Is it correct to say "millions dollar"?

No, it is not correct. The correct phrase is ""millions of dollars"". "Millions" requires a plural noun or a "of" construction to be grammatically correct.

What's the difference between "millions" and "thousands"?

"Thousands" refers to quantities from 1,000 to 999,999, while "millions" refers to quantities from 1,000,000 upwards. They represent different orders of magnitude.