kilo-

Meaning

1. In the International System of Units and other metric systems of units, multiplying the unit to which it is attached by 1,000. Symbol: k
2. Multiplying the unit to which it is attached by 2¹⁰ (1024)

Synonyms

kilo

kilogram

kilogramme

kilometer

kilometre

K

K

Etymology

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.