Few: meaning, definitions and examples

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few

[fjuː ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Determiner}

a small number of

constituting the minority of people or things

Synonyms

not many, several, some.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
few	Used to describe a small number of items, generally indicating scarcity. It often has a slight negative connotation, suggesting a lack of something. There are few options left for dinner. He has few friends in the city.
some	Indicates an unspecified number or amount that is more than a few, often used in a neutral or context-dependent manner. It can imply a number that is adequate but not large. Can I have some water? There are some cookies on the table.
several	Describes a number that is more than a few but still relatively small. It suggests a greater number than 'few' or 'a few' but less clarity about the exact count. She made several phone calls in the morning. There were several issues that needed attention.
not many	Highlights the small number of items, often emphasizing the insufficiency or rarity. It usually carries a neutral to slightly negative connotation. Not many people attended the meeting. There are not many solutions to this problem.

Examples of usage

I have a few friends in this city
Only a few people attended the meeting

^{Context #2 | Pronoun}

a small number of

used to emphasize how small a number of people or things is

Synonyms

a small number, hardly any, scarcely any.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
few	Used to refer to a small quantity or number of people or things, typically when emphasizing that there are not many. Few people attended the meeting There were few cookies left in the jar
a small number	Used to state the precise lack of many, more formally referring to the quantity. A small number of students were late for class The survey received only a small number of responses
hardly any	Used when emphasizing an extremely limited quantity or number, sometimes with a slight sense of surprise or disappointment. There were hardly any tickets left for the concert Hardly any light entered the room
scarcely any	Used to convey an almost complete absence of something, often carrying a slightly more formal tone. Scarcely any water remained in the bottle There were scarcely any opportunities for advancement

Examples of usage

Few will deny that changes are necessary
Few of the students have passed the exam

^{Context #3 | Adjective}

a small number of

not many but more than one or two

Synonyms

not many, several, some.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
few	Can also emphasize a smaller quantity than expected or needed. Only a few people came to the meeting We have a few minutes left before the show starts
some	Indicates an unspecified but limited number or amount, suggesting more than one but not necessarily many. She needs some time to think Can you lend me some money?
several	Implies more than two but not a large number, often somewhere between three and nine. She has traveled to several countries There are several reasons why this plan might not work
not many	Indicates a small quantity, similar to 'few,' but is generally softer and less emphatic. Not many students passed the exam There are not many options available

Examples of usage

He had a few friends over for a barbecue
She gave him a few cookies

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from Old English 'feewe', which means a small number.
Related words in other languages include 'poco' in Spanish and 'peu' in French, showing similar meanings across cultures.
The word has roots in Proto-Germanic language, emphasizing the idea of scarcity.

Psychology

Research shows people perceive 'few' differently, often influenced by personal experiences and expectations.
In social settings, having a few close friends is linked to greater happiness than having many acquaintances.
The concept of 'few' can lead to feelings of exclusivity or intimacy in groups.

Pop Culture

Songs and movies often highlight themes of having 'few friends' to emphasize the importance of deeper connections.
The phrase 'a few good men' became famous from a popular military courtroom drama, illustrating the value of quality over quantity.
In literature, characters often reflect on having 'few choices', underscoring moments of significant decision-making.

Science

In statistics, 'few' can sometimes refer to a sample size that is small enough to limit the reliability of conclusions.
In ecology, 'few' species in an ecosystem may indicate an unbalanced or unhealthy environment.
The concept of 'few' is fundamental in various fields, from mathematics to social sciences, where it signifies a limited dataset.

Translations

Translations of the word "few" in other languages:

🇵🇹 poucos

🇮🇳 कुछ

🇩🇪 wenige

🇮🇩 sedikit

🇺🇦 кілька

декілька
небагато

🇵🇱 kilka

🇯🇵 少し

🇫🇷 peu

🇪🇸 pocos

🇹🇷 birkaç

🇰🇷 몇

🇸🇦 قليل

🇨🇿 několik

🇸🇰 niekoľko

🇨🇳 少数

🇸🇮 nekaj

🇮🇸 fáir

🇰🇿 аз

🇬🇪 ცოტა

🇦🇿 bir neçə

🇲🇽 pocos

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #149, this word is extremely common in English. It's a crucial part of basic vocabulary that's used constantly in both spoken and written communication, making it essential for even basic conversations.

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146 section
147 never
148 old
149 few
150 come
151 important
152 above
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