FEW
Dictionary entry overview: What does few mean?
• 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.
Dictionary entry details
• 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)
