few
Meaning
-
- An indefinite, but usually small, number of.
- Not many; a small (in comparison with another number stated or implied) but somewhat indefinite number of.
- Obscuring one to two oktas (eighths) of the sky.
- (US?) Having a 10 percent chance of measurable precipitation (0.01 inch); used interchangeably with isolated.
Frequency
Pronounced as (IPA)
/fjuː/
Etymology
From Middle English fewe, from Old English fēaw (“few”), from Proto-West Germanic *fau, from Proto-Germanic *fawaz (“few”), from Proto-Indo-European *peh₂w- (“few, small”). Cognate with Old Saxon fā (“few”), Old High German fao, fō (“few, little”), Old Norse fár (“few”), Gothic 𐍆𐌰𐌿𐍃 (faus, “few”). Also related with Latin paucus (“little, few”) and pauper (“poor”), from which latter English poor and pauper; see these.
Improve your pronunciation
Start learning English with learnfeliz.
Practice speaking and memorizing "few" and many other words and sentences in English.
Go to our English course page