fewer

1 of 2

pronoun

few·​er ˈfyü-ər 

ˈfyu̇r

plural in construction

: a smaller number of persons or things

fewer

2 of 2

adjective

comparative of few

Less vs. Fewer: Usage Guide

It is often said that fewer is used when a number of things can be counted

fewer problems

and less is used when an amount is measured.

less trouble

less time

However, less is preferred over fewer with certain kinds of countable things

250 words or less

3 items or less

and is broadly accepted with others, such as those involving money,

less than 0

distance,

less than 3 miles

units of time and weight.

less than an hour/pound

and statistical enumerations

less than 50,000 people

Note that in these accepted instances, the things considered are often thought of as amounts rather than numbers.

Examples of fewer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The risk is lower in areas such as the Pacific Northwest, where the population is less vulnerable, and Greenland, where fewer people live near glacial lakes. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Feb. 2023

The Cavs are now just 4-7 in games decided by three points or fewer. —Chris Fedor, cleveland, 31 Jan. 2023

Of their eight Quad 1 losses, five have been by single digits — including three decided by six points or fewer. —Tom Green | [e-mail], al, 27 Jan. 2023

Another possible explanation is that later in the first two years of the pandemic, there may have also been fewer deaths than expected in some areas because some of the least healthy people in the area had already died of COVID-19. —Dielle Lundberg, Fortune, 26 Jan. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Pronoun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fewer

• bluer
• breuer
• brewer
• couper
• ewer
• fluor
• hewer
• newer
• sewer
• skewer
• truer
• viewer

Kids Definition

fewer

1 of 2 adjective

few·​er ˈfyü-ər 

: not so many : a smaller number of

fewer

2 of 2 pronoun

: a smaller number of persons or things

—used in plural

fewer are available