Two: meaning, definitions and examples
2️⃣
two
[tuː ]
Definitions
number
Equivalent to the sum of one and one; a pair of objects or people.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| two |
Used to simply refer to the number 2. Common in everyday speech, academic contexts, and counting.
|
| pair |
Refers specifically to two items or individuals that are meant to go together or form a set. Commonly used for shoes, socks, and other items that come in twos.
|
| duo |
Used to describe two people who perform together or have a strong connection, often in entertainment or sports.
|
| couple |
Often used to refer to two people who are in a romantic relationship. Can also mean a small number, typically around two, but not strictly so.
|
Examples of usage
- I have two apples.
- They are both two years old.
quantity
Being one more than one.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| two |
Typically used to simply denote the number 2.
|
| double |
Usually indicates something that is twice as much or involves two identical units.
|
| twofold |
Often used in more formal contexts to indicate something that has two parts or that is twice as much.
|
| pair |
Commonly used to describe two things that are meant to be together or work together, such as shoes or partners.
|
Examples of usage
- She has two cats.
- He needs two more chairs.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from Old English 'twa,' which is related to the German 'zwei' and Latin 'duo.'
- Many Indo-European languages have similar forms for this number, showing its ancient roots.
- In ancient cultures, two often represented duality, such as light and dark, or male and female.
Mathematics
- Two is the smallest prime number, which means it can only be divided by one and itself.
- It is the only even prime number, making it unique in the realm of mathematics.
- In binary code, which is used in computers, 'two' is represented as '10', showing how counting begins anew.
Cultural Significance
- In many cultures, pairs often symbolize balance, partnership, and harmony, such as yin and yang.
- In Western culture, a 'two-party system' is a political setup commonly seen in elections.
- The phrase 'it takes two to tango' emphasizes that some actions require mutual cooperation.
Literature
- In the famous nursery rhyme, 'Two Little Dicky Birds', the number represents simplicity and childhood innocence.
- Works of Shakespeare often explore themes of pairs and dualities, reflecting deeper relationships or conflicts.
- George Orwell's '1984' defined a dystopian reality in terms of dualities, illustrating the concept of 'us versus them'.
Science
- In biology, a pair of chromosomes, like XX or XY, determines sex in many organisms.
- Two is a fundamental number in physics, representing concepts like force pairs in Newton's third law.
- The concept of two states or forms of matter is essential, like solids and liquids.
Translations
Translations of the word "two" in other languages:
🇵🇹 dois
🇮🇳 दो
🇩🇪 zwei
🇮🇩 dua
🇺🇦 два
🇵🇱 dwa
🇯🇵 二 (に, ni)
🇫🇷 deux
🇪🇸 dos
🇹🇷 iki
🇰🇷 둘 (dul)
🇸🇦 اثنان (ithnan)
🇨🇿 dva
🇸🇰 dva
🇨🇳 二 (èr)
🇸🇮 dva
🇮🇸 tveir
🇰🇿 екі
🇬🇪 ორი (ori)
🇦🇿 iki
🇲🇽 dos