few

Universal Words determiner, adjective, pronoun determiner, adjective (fewer, fewest) 1 used with plural nouns and a plural verb to mean 'not many': Few people understand the difference. * There seem to be fewer tourists around this year. * Very few students learn Latin now. 2 (usually a few) used with plural nouns and a plural verb to mean 'a small number', 'some': We've had a few replies. * I need a few things from the store. * Quite a few people are going to arrive early. * I try to visit my parents every few weeks. IDIOMS few and far between not frequent; not happening often pronoun 1 not many people, things or places: Very few of his books are worth reading. * You can pass with as few as 25 points. * (formal) Few will argue with this conclusion. 2 (a few) a small number of people, things or places; some: I recognized a few of the other people. * I've seen most of his movies. Only a few are as good as his first one. * Could you give me a few more details? 3 (fewer) not as many as: Fewer than 20 students passed all the exams. * There are no fewer than 100 different species in the area. 4 (the few) used with a plural verb to mean 'a small group of people': Real power belongs to the few. * She was one of the chosen few (= the small group with special privileges). IDIOMS quite a few (BrE also a good few) a fairly large number: I've been there quite a few times. have had a few (informal) to have had enough alcohol to make you drunk