fewer

few  (fy)

adj. few·er, few·est

1. Amounting to or consisting of a small number: one of my few bad habits.

2. Being more than one but indefinitely small in number: bowled a few strings.

n. (used with a pl. verb)

1. An indefinitely small number of persons or things: A few of the books have torn jackets.

2. An exclusive or limited number: the discerning few; the fortunate few.

pron. (used with a pl. verb)

A small number of persons or things: "For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14).

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[Middle English fewe, from Old English fawe; see pau-¹ in Indo-European roots.]

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fewness n.

Usage Note: The traditional rule holds that fewer should be used for things that can be counted (fewer than four players), while less should be used with mass terms for things of measurable extent (less paper; less than a gallon of paint). However, less is used in some constructions where fewer would occur if the traditional rule were being followed. Less than can be used before a plural noun that denotes a measure of time, amount, or distance: less than three weeks; less than $400; less than 50 miles. Less is sometimes used with plural nouns in the expressions no less than (as in No less than 30 of his colleagues signed the letter) and or less (as in Give your reasons in 25 words or less).

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

fewer - (comparative of `few' used with count nouns) quantifier meaning a smaller number of; "fewer birds came this year"; "the birds are fewer this year"; "fewer trains were late" comparative, comparative degree - the comparative form of an adjective or adverb; "`faster' is the comparative of the adjective `fast'"; "`less famous' is the comparative degree of the adjective `famous'"; "`more surely' is the comparative of the adverb `surely'" few - a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by `a'; a small but indefinite number; "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" less - (comparative of `little' usually used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning not as great in amount or degree; "of less importance"; "less time to spend with the family"; "a shower uses less water"; "less than three years old" more - (comparative of `many' used with count nouns) quantifier meaning greater in number; "a hall with more seats"; "we have no more bananas"; "more than one"

Translations

fewer [ˈfjuːəʳ] adj → menos

fewer [ˈfjuːəʳ] few adj → moins de

pron → moins;

they are fewer now → il y en a moins maintenant, ils sont moins (nombreux) maintenant

fewer [ˈfjuːəʳ] few adj → weniger;

there are fewer buses on Sundays few → Sonntags fahren weniger Busse

fewer [ˈfjuːəʳ] adj → meno inv; meno numerosi/e

pron → meno;

they are fewer now → adesso ce ne sono di meno