two

[ too ]

noun

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

adjective

1. amounting to two in number.

two

/ tuː /

noun

1. the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one. It is a prime number See also number
2. a numeral, 2, II, (ii), etc, representing this number
3. music the numeral 2 used as the lower figure in a time signature, indicating that the beat is measured in minims
4. something representing, represented by, or consisting of two units, such as a playing card with two symbols on it
5. Also calledtwo o'clock two hours after noon or midnight
6. in two
   in or into two parts

   break the bread in two

7. put two and two together
   to make an inference from available evidence, esp an obvious inference
8. that makes two of us
   the same applies to me

determiner

1. 1. amounting to two

      two nails

   2. ( as pronoun )

      he bought two

Word History and Origins

Origin of two¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English twā (feminine and neuter; twain ); cognate with German zwei; compare Latin duo, Greek dýo

Word History and Origins

Origin of two¹

Old English twā (feminine); related to Old High German zwā, Old Norse tvau, Latin, Greek duo

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in two, into two separate parts, as halves:

   A bolt of lightning split the tree in two.

2. put two and two together, to draw a correct conclusion from the given circumstances; infer:

   It didn't require a great mind to put two and two together.

More idioms and phrases containing two

• fall between the crack (two stools)
• for two cents
• game that two can play
• goody-two-shoes
• in two shakes
• it takes two
• kill two birds with one stone
• know all the answers (a thing or two)
• lesser of two evils
• like as two peas in a pod
• no two ways about it
• of two minds
• put two and two together
• that makes two of us
• thing or two
• wear two hats

Example Sentences

Soybeans have experienced two whole-genome duplication events throughout their history, both several millions of years ago.

From Science Daily

Smith has set aside two months at the top of next year to make a new record near Mt.

From Los Angeles Times

He later confirmed two Sunday night Coachella dates for April 13 and 20.

From Los Angeles Times

In two public surveys conducted as part of the research, Keserű said, participants were outraged and felt exploited in scenarios where their health data were sold for a profit without their knowledge.

From Los Angeles Times

Gary Wang, co-founder and chief technology officer of FTX, was sentenced to no time in prison on Wednesday, two years after the cryptocurrency firm collapsed and faced accusations of defrauding customers.

From Salon

Related Words

• couple
• double
• pair
• team

Two Vs. To Vs. Too

What's the difference between two, to, and too?

Two is the number equal to one plus one. To is a very common word that performs many different functions, such as expressing direction (I’m driving to the office) or contact (Pin it to the wall), indicating an object or recipient (Give it to me), or setting a range (9 to 5) or limit (These go to 11). Too means also (I’m going, too) or to an excessive degree (too much).

The words are used in very different ways: two is a number that can be used as a noun or an adjective, to is most commonly used as a preposition, and too is an adverb.

Perhaps the most common mistake involving the three words is using to when it should be too, or vice versa. Remember, if you mean to, don’t use too many o’s!

Here’s an example of two, to, and too used correctly in the same sentence.

Example: The dealer dealt two twos to me, but it was two twos too few—my opponent had a full house!

Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between two, to, and too.

Quiz yourself on two vs. to vs. too!

Should two, to, or too be used in the following sentence?

I ordered _____ pizzas.