fewer

American  

[fyoo-er] / ˈfyu ər /

adjective

1. of a smaller number.

   fewer words and more action.

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pronoun

1. (used with a plural verb) a smaller number.

   Fewer have come than we hoped.

Commonly Confused

See less.

Etymology

Origin of fewer

Middle English feue, feawe. fewe fewere, Old English fēawera, genitive plural of fēawa few; -er ⁴ ( def. )

Example Sentences

I’d been working alone for years and somehow assembled a group of colleagues who had absolutely no HR department and even fewer boundaries.

From Slate • Apr. 12, 2026

Many are structured much like mutual funds, but with far less liquidity and fewer chances for investors to pull out.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

That’s left him on pace to finish with fewer than 16 goals in a full season for just the third time while his 24 assists and 36 points are career lows.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

Like City, his side have drawn seven games, but they have suffered two fewer defeats.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

He especially liked the books with pictures, for they seemed to say much more in far fewer words.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman