fewer; fewest
1
: not many
Few people came.
the next/last/past few weeks
I know (very) few people in the class.
Music is one of my (very) few pleasures.
He caught fewer fish than the rest of us.
There are fewer children at the school this year.
Not many people came, but the few people who did enjoyed themselves.
Few (if any) people understand me.
2
: not many but some
—used in the phrase a few
Only/Just a few people came.
We went out for a few drinks after work.
I know a few people in the class.
The train leaves in a few minutes.
Note: The phrases quite a few and, less commonly, not a few or (chiefly Brit) a good few all mean "fairly many."
1
: not many people or things
(Very) Few came.
His stories may be entertaining, but few (if any) are true. = They may be entertaining, but few (if any) of his stories are true.
There are many students in the class, but I know very few (of them).
"Never…was so much owed by so many to so few."—
Sir Winston Churchill, Speech (August, 1940)
Sir Winston Churchill, Speech (August, 1940)2
: some people or things
—used in the phrase a few
A few came.
I bought several magazines and I read a few (of them).
Unfortunately, a few of the people who came failed to enjoy themselves.
We gave away most of the photographs but we kept a few (of them).
They sold a few of the books.
She met a few of my relatives.
Note: The phrases quite a few and, less commonly, not a few or (chiefly Brit) a good few all mean "fairly many."
3
: a small number of people or things that are chosen or regarded as special or unusual in some way
A select few will receive advance tickets.
A sophisticated movie like this only appeals to the discriminating few.
Cite this Entry
“Few.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/few. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy Citation
