Small vs. Few — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 19, 2024
Small refers to something of limited size or extent, while few indicates a small number or quantity of items.
Difference Between Small and Few
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Small describes the size, scale, or degree of something, often used for physical dimensions, amounts, or intensities. Few, on the other hand, specifies a limited number of items or occurrences, indicating scarcity or insufficiency.
When describing physical dimensions, small is used, such as in "a small house" or "a small amount of sugar." It conveys that the object or quantity is not large. Few is used to quantify items or occurrences, such as in "a few people attended the meeting" or "a few mistakes were made." It implies that the number is limited but more than one.
Small can refer to both tangible and intangible items, such as "small victories" or "small details." Few strictly refers to countable items or events, emphasizing the limited count. For instance, "a few books" means a limited number of books, whereas "small books" refers to the physical size of the books.
Small often conveys a general sense of being less in size or degree, applicable to various contexts like size, time, importance, etc. Few specifically focuses on count, indicating a number that is not many but more than one.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Limited in size, extent, or degree
Small number or quantity of items
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Usage Context
Size, amount, scale, intensity
Countable items, occurrences
Examples
Small house, small amount of sugar
Few people, few mistakes
Application
Tangible and intangible items
Countable, quantifiable items
Implication
Not large in size or importance
Limited in number, scarce
Compare with Definitions
Small
Minor in degree.
It was a small favor, but it meant a lot to her.
Few
Limited number of items.
There are few apples left in the basket.
Small
Being below average in size
A small car.
Few
Not many occurrences.
She made a few mistakes on her test.
Small
Being below average in quantity or extent
A small donation.
A small project.
Few
Insufficient number.
Few solutions were proposed during the meeting.
Small
Limited in importance or significance; trivial
A small matter.
Few
Amounting to or consisting of a small number
One of my few bad habits. See Usage Note at less.
Small
Having limited position, influence, or status; minor
"A crowd of small writers had vainly attempted to rival Addison" (Thomas Macaulay).
Few
Being more than one but indefinitely small in number
Bowled a few strings.
Small
Unpretentious; modest
Made a small living.
Helped the cause in my own small way.
Few
An indefinitely small number of persons or things
A few of the books have torn jackets.
Small
Not fully grown; very young
A small child.
Few
An exclusive or limited number
The discerning few.
The fortunate few.
Small
Narrow in outlook; petty
A small mind.
Few
(preceded by another determiner) An indefinite, but usually small, number of.
There are a few cars (=some, but a relatively small number) in the street.
Quite a few people (=a significant number) were pleasantly surprised.
I think he's had a few drinks. [This usage is likely ironic.]
Small
Having been belittled; humiliated
Their comments made me feel small.
Few
(used alone) Not many; a small (in comparison with another number stated or implied) but somewhat indefinite number of.
There are very few people who understand quantum theory.
I was expecting a big crowd at the party, but very few people (=almost none) turned up.
Small
Diluted; weak. Used of alcoholic beverages.
Few
Obscuring one to two oktas (eighths) of the sky.
Tonight: A few clouds. Increasing cloudiness overnight.
NOAA definition of the term "few clouds": An official sky cover classification for aviation weather observations, descriptive of a sky cover of 1/8 to 2/8. This is applied only when obscuring phenomena aloft are present--that is, not when obscuring phenomena are surface-based, such as fog.
Small
Lacking force or volume
A small voice.
Few
(US?) Having a 10 percent chance of measurable precipitation (0.01 inch); used interchangeably with isolated.
Small
Lowercase
Type the password in small letters.
Few
Few people, few things.
Many are called, but few are chosen.
Small
In small pieces
Cut the meat up small.
Few
Not many; small, limited, or confined in number; - indicating a small portion of units or individuals constituting a whole; often, by ellipsis of a noun, a few people.
Few know and fewer care.
Small
Without loudness or forcefulness; softly.
Few
An indefinite but relatively small number;
They bought a case of beer and drank a few
Small
In a small manner.
Few
A small elite group;
It was designed for the discriminating few
Small
A part that is smaller or narrower than the rest
The small of the back.
Few
A quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by `a'; a small but indefinite number;
A few weeks ago
A few more wagons than usual
An invalid's pleasures are few and far between
Few roses were still blooming
Few women have led troops in battle
Small
Small things considered as a group.
Few
Small quantity.
Only a few people showed up to the event.
Small
Chiefly British Small items of clothing.
Few
Sparse in presence.
There were few flowers blooming in the garden.
Small
Not large or big; insignificant; few in number.
A small serving of ice cream.
A small group.
He made us all feel small.
Small
(figuratively) Young, as a child.
Remember when the children were small?
Small
Minuscule or lowercase, referring to written or printed letters.
Small
Humiliated or insignificant.
The bullies had succeeded in making him feel small.
Small
Evincing little worth or ability; not large-minded; paltry; mean.
Small
Not prolonged in duration; not extended in time; short.
A small space of time
Small
Synonym of little
Small science
Small
(archaic) Slender, gracefully slim.
Small
That is small the manufactured size.
I'll have a small coffee, thanks.
Small
In a small fashion
Small
In or into small pieces.
Small
(obsolete) To a small extent.
Small
(obsolete) In a low tone; softly.
Small
An item labelled or denoted as being that size.
Two smalls and a large, please.
Small
One who fits an item of that size.
Small
Any part of something that is smaller or slimmer than the rest, now usually with anatomical reference to the back.
Small
To make little or less.
Small
(intransitive) To become small; to dwindle.
Small
Having little size, compared with other things of the same kind; little in quantity or degree; diminutive; not large or extended in dimension; not great; not much; inconsiderable; as, a small man; a small river.
To compareGreat things with small.
Small
Being of slight consequence; feeble in influence or importance; unimportant; trivial; insignificant; as, a small fault; a small business.
Small
Envincing little worth or ability; not large-minded; - sometimes, in reproach, paltry; mean.
A true delineation of the smallest man is capable of interesting the greatest man.
Small
Not prolonged in duration; not extended in time; short; as, after a small space.
Small
Weak; slender; fine; gentle; soft; not loud.
Small
In or to small extent, quantity, or degree; little; slightly.
Small
Not loudly; faintly; timidly.
You may speak as small as you will.
Small
The small or slender part of a thing; as, the small of the leg or of the back.
Small
Smallclothes.
Small
To make little or less.
Small
The slender part of the back
Small
A garment size for a small person
Small
Limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent;
A little dining room
A little house
A small car
A little (or small) group
A small voice
Small
Limited in size or scope;
A small business
A newspaper with a modest circulation
Small-scale plans
A pocket-size country
Small
Low or inferior in station or quality;
A humble cottage
A lowly parish priest
A modest man of the people
Small beginnings
Small
Not fully grown;
What a big little boy you are
Small children
Small
Too small to be seen except under a microscope
Small
Not large but sufficient in size or amount;
A modest salary
Modest inflation
Helped in my own small way
Small
(of a voice) faint;
A little voice
A still small voice
Small
Slight or limited; especially in degree or intensity or scope;
A series of death struggles with small time in between
Small
Made to seem smaller or less (especially in worth);
Her comments made me feel small
Small
Lowercase;
Little a
Small a
E.e.cummings's poetry is written all in minuscule letters
Small
Have fine or very small constituent particles;
A small misty rain
Small
On a small scale;
Think small
Small
Limited in size.
She bought a small car to navigate the city easily.
Small
Not large in amount.
He added a small amount of salt to the soup.
Small
Less in scale.
The company is a small business with only ten employees.
Small
Less significant.
He played a small role in the project’s success.
Common Curiosities
What does small mean?
Limited in size, extent, or degree.
Can few describe size?
No, few refers to the number of items, not their size.
What does few mean?
A small number or quantity of items or occurrences.
How is few used in a sentence?
E.g., Few students attended the extra class.
Can small describe importance?
Yes, it can indicate lesser importance, such as a small role.
Can small describe quantity?
Yes, it can describe a limited amount, such as a small amount of sugar.
Is small used for tangible and intangible items?
Yes, such as small victories or small pieces of information.
How is small used in a sentence?
E.g., The small kitten fit in the palm of my hand.
Is few used for countable items?
Yes, such as a few books or a few errors.
Does few imply a specific number?
No, it implies a limited number but is not specific.
Does small imply physical dimensions?
Often, but it can also imply limited extent or degree.
Is few always more than one?
Yes, few means more than one but not many.
Can few describe frequency?
Yes, it can describe limited occurrences, such as few times.
Can small be used for abstract concepts?
Yes, like small changes or small efforts.
Does small always mean physically less?
Not always; it can also mean less significant or intense.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
