Couple vs. Few: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Couple refers to two items or people, often implying a pair or partnership, while few generally means a small number, typically more than two but not many.
Key Differences
The term "couple" specifically refers to two items or individuals, often used to denote a pair in a romantic or functional sense. On the other hand, "few" is more ambiguous, usually indicating a small number greater than two but not many, without specifying an exact count.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
When used quantitatively, "couple" is more precise, implying exactly two. In contrast, "few" is less precise and can refer to any small number, typically three to five, but this is not a strict rule and can vary based on context.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
In usage, "a couple of" might be used informally to mean approximately two, while "a few" suggests more than two but an amount that is not large. This distinction highlights the precision of "couple" versus the vagueness of "few."
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Nov 27, 2023
Contextually, "couple" can denote a strong pair bond, such as in relationships or partnerships. "Few," however, is primarily numerical and lacks this connotation of a bond or connection.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
In idiomatic expressions, "a couple" can sometimes be stretched to mean a small number close to two, while "a few" is consistently used to indicate a small, unspecified number, reinforcing the flexible nature of "few" compared to the relatively fixed meaning of "couple."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Contextual Usage
Can imply a close relationship or partnership
Primarily numerical, no implication of relationship
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Nov 27, 2023
Informal Flexibility
Sometimes used to mean 'approximately two'
Consistently indicates a small, unspecified number
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Nov 27, 2023
Connotation
Often associated with romance or functional pairs
Lacks specific connotations beyond quantity
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Nov 27, 2023
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Couple and Few Definitions
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Few
Amounting to or consisting of a small number
One of my few bad habits. See Usage Note at less.
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Oct 19, 2023
Few
Being more than one but indefinitely small in number
Bowled a few strings.
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Oct 19, 2023
Few
An indefinitely small number of persons or things
A few of the books have torn jackets.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Couple
(Physics) A pair of forces of equal magnitude acting in parallel but opposite directions, capable of causing rotation but not translation.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.]
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Couple
(Electricity) To link (two circuits or currents), as by magnetic induction.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Few
(US?) Having a 10 percent chance of measurable precipitation (0.01 inch); used interchangeably with isolated.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Couple
Two or few
"Every couple years the urge strikes, to ... haul off to a new site" (Garrison Keillor).
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Oct 19, 2023
Few
An indefinite but relatively small number;
They bought a case of beer and drank a few
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Oct 19, 2023
Couple
Two of the same kind connected or considered together.
A couple of police officers appeared at the door.
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Oct 19, 2023
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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Couple
One of the pairs of plates of two metals which compose a voltaic battery, called a voltaic couple or galvanic couple.
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Oct 19, 2023
Couple
(physics) A turning effect created by forces that sum to zero in magnitude but produce a non-zero external torque.
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Oct 19, 2023
Couple
That which joins or links two things together; a bond or tie; a coupler.
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Oct 19, 2023
Couple
Two or a few, a small number of.
A couple fewer people show up every week.
I'll be there in a couple minutes.
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Oct 19, 2023
Couple
(transitive) To join (two things) together, or (one thing) to (another).
Now the conductor will couple the train cars.
I've coupled our system to theirs.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Couple
(transitive) To cause (two animals) to copulate, to bring (two animals) together for mating.
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Oct 19, 2023
Couple
That which joins or links two things together; a bond or tie; a coupler.
It is in some sort with friends as it is with dogs in couples; they should be of the same size and humor.
I'll go in couples with her.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Couple
Two of the same kind connected or considered together; a pair; a brace.
Adding one to one we have the complex idea of a couple.
[Ziba] met him with a couple of asses saddled.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Couple
A male and female associated together; esp., a man and woman who are married or betrothed.
Such were our couple, man and wife.
Fair couple linked in happy, nuptial league.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Couple
One of the pairs of plates of two metals which compose a voltaic battery; - called a voltaic couple or galvanic couple.
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Oct 19, 2023
Couple
Two rotations, movements, etc., which are equal in amount but opposite in direction, and acting along parallel lines or around parallel axes.
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Oct 19, 2023
Couple
To link or tie, as one thing to another; to connect or fasten together; to join.
Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds, . . . And couple Clowder with the deep-mouthed brach.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Couple
A pair who associate with one another;
The engaged couple
An inseparable twosome
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Oct 19, 2023
Couple
Something joined by two equal and opposite forces that act along parallel lines
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Oct 19, 2023
Couple
Bring two objects, ideas, or people together;
This fact is coupled to the other one
Matchmaker, can you match my daughter with a nice young man?
The student was paired with a partner for collaboration on the project
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is 'few' precise in number?
No, it's indefinite and generally means three to five.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Can 'couple' mean more than two?
Informally, it can imply approximately two.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
What does 'few' imply?
Indicates a small number, more than two but not many.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Does 'few' indicate a specific quantity?
No, it refers to an unspecified small number.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Do 'couple' and 'few' have the same meaning?
No, 'couple' is more precise, while 'few' is vaguer.
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Nov 27, 2023
Is 'a couple of days' exactly two days?
Not necessarily; it can mean approximately two days.
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Nov 27, 2023
Are 'couple' and 'few' interchangeable?
Not exactly, due to their different levels of precision.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Is 'a few' vague or specific?
It's vague, indicating an unspecified small number.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Can 'couple' refer to a romantic pair?
Yes, it often denotes a romantic duo.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Can 'couple' be used in a formal context?
It's more commonly used informally.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Can 'couple' mean 'a few'?
Informally, 'a couple' can overlap with 'a few'.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Does context affect the meaning of 'few'?
Yes, context can influence the perceived quantity in 'few'.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Is 'few' used in formal writing?
Yes, it's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Is 'few' always less than 'several'?
Generally, yes; 'few' is less than 'several'.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Can 'couple' mean two groups?
Rarely; it usually refers to two items or people.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Can 'couple' be used for non-romantic pairs?
Yes, it can refer to any pair of items or individuals.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Does 'a few' always mean more than two?
Yes, it always implies more than two.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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