kilo
gb/kˈɪloʊ/ us/kˈɪloʊ/
A2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
quantity
1
one kilogram (1,000 grams)
A kilo is 1,000 grams.
Usage pattern:
[a/the] kilo (of [something])
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes forget the plural -s (two kilos) or confuse kilo (kg) with kilometer (km).
Synonyms
kilogram (More formal and explicit; common in writing.)
|
kg (Written abbreviation used on labels and measurements.)
Collocations
a kilo of rice
|a kilo of apples
|half a kilo
|two kilos
|weighs a kilo
|just under a kilo
|just over a kilo
|kilo bag
|price per kilo
|sold by the kilo
Themes
food
|shopping
|numbers
|science
Examples
- I bought a kilo of tomatoes for the sauce.
- The parcel weighs just under a kilo.
- Add half a kilo of flour and mix well.
Learner examples
- I need one kilo of rice.
- This bag is two kilos.
Noun
informal
B1
quantity
2
one kilometer (1,000 meters)
In some places, a kilo can mean 1 kilometer.
Usage pattern:
[number]-kilo; [a/the] kilo
Common mistake:
This use is not universal; in many contexts 'kilo' is understood as kilogram, not kilometer.
Synonyms
kilometer (Standard term; clearer in writing and international contexts.)
|
km (Written abbreviation, common on signs and maps.)
Collocations
a 5-kilo run
|a 10-kilo race
|a 2-kilo walk
|the last kilo
|another kilo to go
|a few kilos away
Themes
travel
|sports
|numbers
Examples
- It’s about two kilos from here to the beach.
- She signed up for a 10-kilo race.
- We’ve only got one more kilo to go.
Learner examples
- I ran five kilos today.
Noun
technical
C1
relation
3
NATO code word for K
Kilo is the radio word for the letter K.
Usage pattern:
Kilo (for [letter])
Common mistake:
It is often capitalized (Kilo) when used as the code word.
Collocations
NATO phonetic alphabet
|code word Kilo
|Kilo Mike
|Kilo Alpha
|ends with Kilo
Themes
communication
|military
|aviation
Examples
- In the NATO phonetic alphabet, K is 'Kilo'.
- The operator read it back as 'Kilo, India, Lima, Oscar'.
- He spelled his surname over the phone using 'Kilo' for K.
Learner examples
- K is Kilo in the NATO alphabet.
prefix
technical
B2
rule
4
metric prefix meaning one thousand
kilo- means 1,000.
Usage pattern:
kilo- + [unit]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse the prefix kilo- (meaning 1,000) with the noun kilo (meaning kilogram or sometimes kilometer).
Synonyms
thousand- (Plain-English equivalent; not used as a unit prefix.)
Antonyms
milli- (Metric prefix meaning one thousandth (10^-3).)
Collocations
kilowatt
|kilometer
|kilogram
|kilobyte
|kilohertz
|kilojoule
Themes
science
|numbers
|technology
Examples
- In metric units, kilo- means one thousand.
- A kilowatt is one thousand watts.
- The symbol for kilo- is k, as in kW.
Learner examples
- kilo- means 1,000.
Noun
slang
C1
quantity
5
a kilogram of illegal drugs
In drug crime, a kilo means a kilogram of drugs.
Usage pattern:
a kilo (of [drug])
Common mistake:
This meaning is strongly associated with illegal drugs and can sound alarming or inappropriate in everyday conversation.
Synonyms
key (Slang term used in some varieties of English for a kilogram of drugs.)
Collocations
a kilo of cocaine
|a kilo of heroin
|a kilo shipment
|kilo-level quantities
|seized a kilo
Themes
crime
|law
|drugs
Examples
- Police reported seizing a kilo of cocaine during the raid.
- The indictment mentioned multiple kilos of narcotics.
- They were accused of transporting a kilo across the border.
Grammar
Expressions
by the kilo
1/bˈaɪ ðə kˈɪloʊ/
fixed phrase
measured or sold per kilogram
Sold by weight (in kilograms).
Examples
- At this market, nuts are sold by the kilo.
- You can buy frozen berries by the kilo online.
- They buy cheese in bulk by the kilo.
kilo-for-kilo
1/kˈɪloʊ fɚ kˈɪloʊ/
fixed phrase
informal
weight-for-weight comparison
Compared at the same weight.
Examples
- Kilo-for-kilo, she’s one of the strongest lifters in the gym.
- Kilo-for-kilo, this engine produces more power than the older model.
- Kilo-for-kilo, he hits harder than anyone in the division.
per kilo
1/pˈɚ kˈɪloʊ/
fixed phrase
for each kilogram
It means “for one kilogram.”
Examples
- Cherries are £8 per kilo today.
- The butcher sells this beef at $14.99 per kilo.
- They charge per kilo for checked luggage on that route.