Three Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
3️⃣
three
[θriː ]
Definition
number
Equivalent to the sum of one and two; one more than two; 3
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| three |
A numeral or symbol to represent the number three, often used in mathematical contexts.
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| trio |
Often used to refer to a group of three people, especially in musical contexts or when describing closely knit groups.
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| triplet |
Used to describe three people or things that are very similar, often referring to siblings born at the same time or objects that come in sets of three.
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| threesome |
Informal term generally used to describe a group of three people, often with sexual connotations. It can be considered negative or inappropriate depending on the social context.
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Examples of usage
- I have three siblings.
- The triangle has three sides.
- She bought three apples and two oranges.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Mathematics
- Three is the first odd prime number, making it unique in number theory.
- In geometry, a triangle, which is a shape with three angles, is the simplest polygon.
- There are three primary colors: red, blue, and yellow, which can be mixed to create a variety of other colors.
Culture
- Many fairy tales and folk stories feature the rule of three, such as three wishes, three brothers, or three tasks.
- In various traditions, the number three symbolizes harmony, wisdom, and understanding.
- Religions often use the number three to express key concepts, such as the Holy Trinity in Christianity.
Science
- In biology, most organisms follow a tripartite system, like the three domains of life: Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya.
- The three states of matter are solid, liquid, and gas, fundamental to understanding physical science.
- In physics, three laws of motion laid out by Sir Isaac Newton describe fundamental principles of movement.
Literature
- Three is a recurring motif in literature, often representing balance, such as in the three parts of a classic narrative: beginning, middle, and end.
- William Shakespeare frequently used triplets in his poetry, emphasizing the rhythm and musicality of his works.
- In stories, characters often face three major challenges before achieving their goal, reflecting growth and transformation.
Origin of 'three'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'three' comes from the Old English word 'three' and has roots in Germanic and Proto-Indo-European languages.
- In many languages, the word for three has similar sounds, like 'trois' in French and 'drei' in German, showing common ancestry.
- Historically, three is often associated with the number of dimensions we experience: length, width, and height.
The word 'three' originated from the Old English word 'þrīe'. It has roots in the Proto-Germanic word 'thrijiz' and the Proto-Indo-European word 'tréyes'. The number three has been significant in various cultures and religions, often symbolizing completeness or balance. In mathematics, three is the first odd prime number and the second smallest prime number. It is also the first Mersenne prime exponent. The concept of three is prevalent in many aspects of human life, from the three primary colors to the three dimensions of space.