fewer

[fyoo-er]

adjective

1. of a smaller number.

   fewer words and more action.

pronoun

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

   Fewer have come than we hoped.

Confusables Note

See less.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fewer¹

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

Example Sentences

Even in industries with unions and automation safeguards, the disparity between employers and employees only grows more vast, and there are far fewer jobs than people who are looking for work.

From Salon

The Conservative leader also argued that because the party was no longer in government there were fewer "people turning up wanting government favours".

From BBC

Amid job cuts at home, Cardiff University also said 34 fewer posts would need to go as a result of staffing the new Kazakhstan campus.

From BBC

"It would be easier to take a cab. I know I'm privileged, but it's more of a revindication. We need greener cities, with fewer cars," Bellerin says.

From BBC

Extreme risk orders have been shown to result in fewer suicides.

From Salon