few
- 01 B1 Intermediate
pron.a small number of people or things, used instead of a noun.
pron.functions as a pronominal head representing a small, indefinite number of entities previously mentioned or understood.
Simple“Many applied for the job, but few were chosen for an interview.”
In context“While many expressed interest in the volunteer programme, only a dedicated few actually completed the training requirements.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a small, special group of people who are different from the majority.
n.refers to a small, often elite or select group of individuals, frequently contrasted with 'the many'.
Simple“The secrets of the club were known only to the few.”
In context“The policy was designed to benefit the many rather than the privileged few who controlled the industry.”
Antonymsthe manythe masses - 03 C1 Advanced
det.used by weather experts to mean a very small amount of clouds in the sky.
det.a technical meteorological term indicating a cloud cover of one to two oktas (eighths) of the sky.
Simple“The forecast for today is mostly sunny with few clouds.”
In context“The aviation report indicated few clouds at three thousand feet, ensuring excellent visibility for the incoming flight.”
few vs little — Few modifies plural countable nouns, while little modifies uncountable nouns.
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.