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

"With fewer weekends to work with, the league is bound by how the calendar falls."

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There were fewer crop fields and more forests.

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Jetten said after the vote that never before had a party won a Dutch election with fewer than 30 seats.

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This compares with the regulator taking action against fewer than 70 sites for non-compliance.

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Bowman told staff she intends for the division to operate with fewer management layers, according to the memo.

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