Showing results for "fewer"

• comparative of few.

fewer

American  

[fyoo-er] / ˈfju 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; see -er ⁴ ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fewer

The Sentencing Act made a number of key changes designed to mean fewer people were sent to prison, and to free many inmates earlier than planned.

From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026

“After much soul searching I’ve decided that I will be easing into fewer performances while focusing on transitioning into the next stage of my career and life moving forward,” Knight said via Instagram on Thursday.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 29, 2026

In one large study using national data from nearly 50,000 women who froze their eggs, fewer than 3 percent returned to use them during the study period.

From Slate ● Aug. 29, 2026

The U.S. likely added 79,000 fewer jobs than previously reported over the 12 months that ended in March, according to the BLS.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

He could hear the river now and with fewer fallen branches, the road was visible again.

From "Earthquake Terror" by Peg Kehret