two

American  

[too] / tu /

noun

1. a cardinal number, 1 plus 1.

2. a symbol for this number, as 2 or II.

3. a set of this many persons or things.

4. a playing card, die face, or half of a domino face with two pips.

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adjective

1. amounting to two in number.

idioms

1. put two and two together, to draw a correct conclusion from the given circumstances; infer.

   It didn't require a great mind to put two and two together.

2. in two, into two separate parts, as halves.

   A bolt of lightning split the tree in two.

two British  

/ tuː /

noun

1. the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one. It is a prime number See also number

2. a numeral, 2, II, (ii), etc, representing this number

3. music the numeral 2 used as the lower figure in a time signature, indicating that the beat is measured in minims

4. something representing, represented by, or consisting of two units, such as a playing card with two symbols on it

5. Also called: two o'clock.  two hours after noon or midnight

6. in or into two parts

   break the bread in two

7. to make an inference from available evidence, esp an obvious inference

8. the same applies to me

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determiner

1. 1. amounting to two

      two nails

   2. ( as pronoun )

      he bought two

two More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing two

• fall between the crack (two stools)
• for two cents
• game that two can play
• goody-two-shoes
• in two shakes
• it takes two
• kill two birds with one stone
• know all the answers (a thing or two)
• lesser of two evils
• like as two peas in a pod
• no two ways about it
• of two minds
• put two and two together
• that makes two of us
• thing or two
• wear two hats

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Usage

What's the difference between two, to, and too? Two is the number equal to one plus one. To is a very common word that performs many different functions, such as expressing direction (I’m driving to the office) or contact (Pin it to the wall), indicating an object or recipient (Give it to me), or setting a range (9 to 5) or limit (These go to 11). Too means also (I’m going, too) or to an excessive degree (too much).The words are used in very different ways: two is a number that can be used as a noun or an adjective, to is most commonly used as a preposition, and too is an adverb.Perhaps the most common mistake involving the three words is using to when it should be too, or vice versa. Remember, if you mean to, don’t use too many o’s!Here’s an example of two, to, and too used correctly in the same sentence.Example: The dealer dealt two twos to me, but it was two twos too few—my opponent had a full house!Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between two, to, and too.

Etymology

Origin of two

before 900; Middle English; Old English twā (feminine and neuter; twain ); cognate with German zwei; compare Latin duo, Greek dýo

Example Sentences

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, and racers aim to take the shortest and most direct route to the finish line.

From Los Angeles Times

The governor wrote in the book that the ties between the two families go back three generations.

From Los Angeles Times

The next day, the two women met privately at Getty House, the mayor’s mansion.

From Los Angeles Times

After the ruling, Peggie vowed not to "give up her legal fight" and her legal team have since confirmed they would appeal the ruling as well as two corrected versions of it.

From BBC

Last week it was announced that Indonesia, a Board of Peace member, would deploy 8,000 soldiers to Gaza as part of phase two of the ceasefire agreement.

From BBC

Related Words

• couple
• double
• pair
• team