Why is "billion" spelled this way?

Discover the logic behind this word and learn how understanding spelling patterns can transform your writing confidence.

billion

bil•lion

Step 1: Syllable Breakdown

bilRule: I and Y can say short or long 'i' in syllableSpelling rules applied: I and Y can say short or long 'i' in syllable

lionRule: O makes schwa before W, TH, M, N, VSpelling rules applied: O makes schwa before W, TH, M, N, V

Step 2: Words Spelt From billion

bi= Two.

Step 3: Putting It All Together

billion- A thousand million (1,000,000,000).

Spelling Notes

This word has two syllables: 'bil-lion'. The 'i' in the first syllable makes a short 'i' sound, as in 'igloo', following Rule 7. The 'o' in the second syllable makes a short 'u' sound (schwa) before the 'n', as in Rule 28b. Understanding these rules helps you spell the word correctly.

Breaking words down into their syllables and analyzing why a word is spelled the way it is will drive you to be a better all-around speller, not just learning this single word. This is what strong spellers do subconsciously.

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