plural in construction
: a smaller number of persons or things
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.
Cite this Entry
“Fewer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fewer. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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