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

Overall, healthier eating patterns were commonly associated with fewer symptoms of depression.

From Science Daily

The Midwest is drawing people in, and San Francisco has sent fewer people packing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Slightly fewer supported a model that singled out EV makers.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Outcomes have improved, with more breast-conserving surgery and reconstruction and fewer patients needing further operations," she added.

From BBC

Yet we discovered those side effects are described as "uncommon" in leaflets for one of the drugs, suggesting they only affect fewer than one in a hundred patients.

From BBC