Definition of Few
Quick Meaning of Few
Only a small amount or number of something.
Detailed Definition of Few
A small number of something; not many.
How to Pronounce Few
Stress pattern: O (1-syllable word).
Tip: Rhymes with 'blue' and 'true.' The 'ew' makes one long /uː/ vowel sound.
Watch out: Learners sometimes add a /p/ sound at the end, pronouncing it as 'fyoop' instead of /fjuː/.
Origin and Etymology of Few
From Old English 'feawe,' related to Germanic and Old Norse words for small quantity.
How to Use Few in a Sentence
Each example shows “few” with a CEFR level so learners can pick examples that match their fluency.
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“Only a few students passed the difficult exam.”
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“I have a few friends coming over for dinner tonight.”
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“The store had few options for winter jackets.”
Synonyms and Antonyms of Few
Common Synonyms for Few
Smart Synonyms for Few — When to Use Each
- some
- when the exact quantity is not important or
- several
- when you want to emphasize more than a
Antonyms of Few
Common Collocations with Few
These phrases pair with “few” in everyday English:
- a few days
- a few times
- in few words
- few and far between
- few people
Common Mistakes When Using Few
Even fluent speakers slip up with “few”. Here’s how to avoid the most common errors:
- ✗ Wrong: I have few money in my wallet.
- ✓ Correct: I have little money in my wallet.
- Why: 'Few' is for countable nouns; 'little' is for uncountable nouns like money.
- ✗ Wrong: There are few apples and few water in the kitchen.
- ✓ Correct: There are few apples and little water in the kitchen.
- Why: Use 'few' with countable nouns (apples) and 'little' with uncountable nouns (water).
Words Confused With Few
- Few vs A few: 'A few' (countable, positive) vs 'few' (countable, negative or formal) differ in tone and usage.
- Few vs Little: 'Little' is used with uncountable nouns; 'few' is used with countable nouns. Compare →
Other Forms of Few
- Adjective: few
Frequently Asked Questions About Few
What is the meaning of "Few"?
Only a small amount or number of something.
How do you pronounce "Few"?
The IPA is /fjuː/. Rhymes with 'blue' and 'true.' The 'ew' makes one long /uː/ vowel sound.
What part of speech is "Few"?
"Few" is a noun at A1 level (Common European Framework).
What are synonyms for "Few"?
Common synonyms include some, several, a number of.
How do you use "Few" in a sentence?
For example: "Only a few students passed the difficult exam."