few — a small number of; some but not many
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a small number of; some but not many
Pronunciation (IPA): /fjuː/
Example Sentences
- Few people can eat 10 hamburgers in one sitting.
- I have a few close friends I can trust.
- Few cats enjoy taking baths, unlike dogs.
few
NOUN[/fjuː/]
a small number of; some but not many
Only a few apples were left in the basket after the market closed.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Old English 'feawe', which originated from the common ancestor of Germanic languages with the meaning 'small in number' or 'scanty'. This root is cognate with Old High German 'fao' and Old Norse 'fár', reflecting a shared Proto-Germanic origin.
Breakdown
Old English 'feawe' underwent regular sound changes in Middle English, with the vowel shifting and final syllable simplifying to produce the modern form 'few'. The word contains no separable morphemes, functioning as a simple root that has remained relatively stable in form and meaning since its Germanic origins.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“Few people can eat 10 hamburgers in one sitting.”
“I have a few close friends I can trust.”
“Few cats enjoy taking baths, unlike dogs.”
“There are few opportunities like this one.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
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