"The life of a showgirl often includes umpteen [ˈʌmptin] costume changes, elaborate props and copious amounts of hairspray." – The Economist, 4 Oct. 2025

umpteen
adj [ˈʌmptin]

Umpteen is an informal adjective meaning "very many" or "indefinitely numerous."

zillion, bazillion, kazillion, jillion, and bajillion, start with -illion (as in million) and add a satisfying consonant or syllable in front for some extra oomph.

adjective umpteen does the same for -teen, with the oomph provided by the ump in umpty. Umpty, an adjective meaning "such and such" (as in "umpty percent" or "umpty-four") arose

English