Word
fewest
US/ˈfjuəst/
UK/fjˈuːəst/
Definition
adj. the smallest number of things or people. You use it when you are comparing three or more groups and want to talk about the one with the lowest count.
adj. the superlative form of 'few'; representing the smallest number of countable units within a comparison of three or more sets.
Examples
“The team with the fewest points loses the game.”
“Among all the local schools, this one has the fewest students per classroom, allowing for more individual attention.”
“The candidate who receives the fewest votes in the first round of the election is automatically eliminated from the subsequent runoff.”
Examples
simple
“The team with the fewest points loses the game.”
contextual
“Among all the local schools, this one has the fewest students per classroom, allowing for more individual attention.”
complex
“The candidate who receives the fewest votes in the first round of the election is automatically eliminated from the subsequent runoff.”
Usage
Superlative adjective used with countable nouns. Always preceded by the definite article 'the' when used as a determiner.
Pitfall
the fewest water
the least water
Fewest is used only with countable nouns; use 'least' for uncountable substances or abstract concepts.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/fewest