Definition

Adverb - To an extremely great degree or extent; by a factor of one million. This phrase is used as an intensifier to emphasize that something happens or is true to an immense, often hyperbolic, degree. It is not typically used for literal mathematical multiplication.

Usage

The phrase "a million times" is used for strong emphasis in informal and spoken English. It is often used in comparisons, exclamations, or to express strong preference or frequency. - It commonly follows verbs like "told," "said," "better," or "more." - It is frequently used in the construction "I've told you a million times..."

Examples

• Emphasizing Frequency:
  • I've told you a million times to clean your room!
  • She must have asked me that question a million times.
• Making Exaggerated Comparisons:
  • This new phone is a million times faster than my old one.
  • Your idea is a million times better than his.
• Expressing Strong Preference or Certainty:
  • I would choose pizza over salad a million times.
  • I'm a million times sure that I locked the door.

Advanced Usage

• "Thanks a million": An informal idiom expressing great gratitude.
  • You helped me so much—thanks a million!
• "Feel like a million dollars/bucks": An idiom meaning to feel extremely good, healthy, or happy.
  • After a good night's sleep, I feel like a million bucks.

Variants and Related Words

• A hundred times (adv): Used similarly for emphasis, though indicating a lesser degree than "a million times."
  • I've explained this a hundred times already.
• A zillion/gazillion/trillion times (adv): Informal, even more exaggerated variants for extreme emphasis.
  • I've seen that movie a zillion times.
• Millionfold (adv): The formal, literal equivalent meaning "by a factor of a million."
  • The investment increased millionfold. (Note: This is rare in everyday speech.)

Synonyms

• Countless times: An indefinite, large number of times.
• Innumerable times: Too many to be counted.
• Repeatedly: Done many times.
• Infinitely: To an endless or immeasurable degree.

Related Phrases

• Time and time again: Repeatedly on many occasions.
  • He has made the same mistake time and time again.
• Over and over (again): With frequent repetition.
  • She played the song over and over.

Notes on Meaning

1. Hyperbolic/Figurative Meaning: The primary modern usage. It is an exaggeration for effect, not a literal count.
   • You're a million times smarter than you think. (You are much smarter.)
2. Literal Meaning (Rare): The original, mathematical meaning of multiplying by one million. This is now uncommon in everyday language and is usually expressed with "millionfold" or "times a million" in technical contexts.
   • The bacteria multiplied a million times in just a few hours.

Adverb

1. by a factor of a million
   • it increased a millionfold