FEW

Pronunciation (US):

• FEW (noun)
  The noun FEW has 2 senses:

1. an indefinite but relatively small number
2. a small elite group

  Familiarity information: FEW used as a noun is rare.

• FEW (adjective)
  The adjective FEW has 1 sense:

1. a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by 'a'; a small but indefinite number

  Familiarity information: FEW used as an adjective is very rare.

• FEW (noun)

Meaning:

An indefinite but relatively small number

Classified under:

Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure

Context example:

they bought a case of beer and drank a few

Hypernyms ("few" is a kind of...):

small indefinite amount; small indefinite quantity (an indefinite quantity that is below average size or magnitude)

Meaning:

A small elite group

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Context example:

it was designed for the discriminating few

Hypernyms ("few" is a kind of...):

elite; elite group (a group or class of persons enjoying superior intellectual or social or economic status)

• FEW (adjective)

Meaning:

A quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by 'a'; a small but indefinite number

Context examples:

a few weeks ago / a few more wagons than usual / an invalid's pleasures are few and far between / few roses were still blooming / few women have led troops in battle

Similar:

a couple of; a few (more than one but indefinitely small in number)

hardly a (very few)

Also:

fewer ((comparative of 'few' used with count nouns) quantifier meaning a smaller number of)

some (quantifier; used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity)

Attribute:

multiplicity; numerosity; numerousness (a large number)

Antonym:

many (a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by 'as' or 'too' or 'so' or 'that'; amounting to a large but indefinite number)