three

[ three ]

noun

1. a cardinal number, 2 plus 1.
2. a symbol for this number, as 3 or III.
3. a set of this many persons or things.
4. a playing card, die face, or half of a domino face with three pips.

adjective

1. amounting to three in number.

three

/ θriː /

noun

1. the cardinal number that is the sum of two and one and is a prime number See also number
2. a numeral, 3, III, (iii), representing this number
3. the amount or quantity that is one greater than two
4. something representing, represented by, or consisting of three units such as a playing card with three symbols on it
5. Also calledthree o'clock three hours after noon or midnight

determiner

1. 1. amounting to three

      three ships

   2. ( as pronoun )

      three were killed

Word History and Origins

Origin of three¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English thrēo, thrīo, feminine and neuter of thrī(e); cognate with Dutch drie, German drei, Old Norse thrīr, Gothic threis, Greek treîs, Latin trēs “three,” ter “thrice,” Irish trí, Old Church Slavonic tri, Sanskrit trī, tráyas

Word History and Origins

Origin of three¹

Old English thrēo; related to Old Norse thrīr, Old High German drī, Latin trēs, Greek treis

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. three sheets in the wind. sheet ²( def 3 ).

Example Sentences

And so to have to share the space with other people that you don’t know and put yourself out there like that, I think it really bonded the three of us.

From Los Angeles Times

Fiennes is mentioned in the comments of three of our four panelists, i.e.:

From Los Angeles Times

A marketing executive and mother of three, she was intrigued by the opportunity to work with a dating coach with impressive credentials.

From Los Angeles Times

“You’re teaching your kids a lesson from that point on,” said Morris, who has three children.

From Los Angeles Times

For now, the MWD board will only be deciding on whether to agree to the state’s funding request for the next three years.

From Los Angeles Times