a few

Idioms  

1. A small number of persons or things. This phrase can differ slightly from few used alone, which means “not many.” For example, The party was to end at eight, but a few stayed on indicates that a small number of guests remained, whereas The party began at eight, and few attended means that hardly any guests came. [Late 1200s] Also see quite a bit (few).

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Example Sentences

Another, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said he backed Burnham but was concerned that Burnham will only have a few weeks to prepare for government.

From Barron's • Jul. 9, 2026

Law-enforcement officers raided Alinaghian’s home and found a few dozen air bags, then seized packages from the United Kingdom en route to him.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 9, 2026

MeteoGroup, who currently provide BBC Weather with data, point to a "few notable high temperature spikes".

From BBC • Jul. 8, 2026

But Skid Row sits just a few blocks from the seat of city authority, and nobody has more power or responsibility to address the decades-long human catastrophe on Skid Row than the mayor.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2026

We take selfies together; both of us smile big, like if we smile big enough, it’ll wipe away all the bad, even if it’s only for a few blissful hours.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Related Words

• individual
• numerous
• particular
• precise
• special
• specific
• specified
• various