comparative determiner
A smaller number of people or things than another number; not as many.
We have fewer apples than we need.
Fewer people attended the concert than expected.
American English
How to pronounce fewer
determiner · pronounA2Very common word
FYOOer
/ˈfju.ɚ/
2 syllables · Stress the first syllable.
Form of few
Use fewer with plural countable nouns and when the noun is left out. It means a smaller number, not a smaller amount.
A smaller number of people or things than another number; not as many.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
comparative pronoun
A smaller number of people or things than another number, when the noun is not repeated.
Ten people applied, but fewer were accepted.
We expected many visitors, but fewer arrived.
Useful expressions
a fairly large number; more than expected
Quite a few people joined the tour.
at short, regular intervals
I call my parents every few days.
Related words & forms
Use fewer for plural things you can count, and less for amounts such as water.