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Synonyms

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).

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"This whole thing is a package. We can't explore deeper unless we are doing a few things that are inconvenient, unless we're making a few sacrifices, unless we're taking a few risks," she said.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

He always knows exactly what he’s doing and we’ve had a few of those throughout the season, some little nods to Harrison’s body of work.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

After clearing a few hurdles–chefs and mixologists were wary of going to work at a place that’s so hidden and in such close proximity to gas pumps and cheap snacks–the cooler door opened last April.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

When it works, De Zerbi's sides turn possession in their own half into shots near the opposition's goal within a few seconds.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

When I agreed to help a few weeks ago, it was a quick extra job, not this permanent new job.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.