a few

Idioms and Phrases

A small number of persons or things. This phrase can differ slightly from few used alone, which means “not many.” For example, The party was to end at eight, but a few stayed on indicates that a small number of guests remained, whereas The party began at eight, and few attended means that hardly any guests came. [Late 1200s] Also see quite a bit (few) .

Related Words

• individual
• numerous
• particular
• precise
• special
• specific
• specified
• various