two

American  

[too] / tu /

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.

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adjective

1. amounting to two in number.

idioms

1. 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.

2. in two, into two separate parts, as halves.

   A bolt of lightning split the tree in two.

two British  

/ 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 called: two o'clock.  two hours after noon or midnight

6. in or into two parts

   break the bread in two

7. to make an inference from available evidence, esp an obvious inference

8. the same applies to me

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determiner

1. 1. amounting to two

      two nails

   2. ( as pronoun )

      he bought two

two More Idioms  

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

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Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of two

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

Explanation

Two is a whole number that's greater than one, but less than three. If you found one fuzzy mitten and then your friend gave you another one, you would have two mittens — perfect for your two hands. In a deck of cards, there are four twos — one in each suit. In most games, the two is considered the lowest card. Two can also be used as an adjective to describe anything that numbers one more than one. In cards, if you have a pair of twos, you have two twos. This spelling of two always refers to a number and shouldn't be confused with the homonyms "to" or "too."

Example Sentences

But, according to Mr. Vinen, “it is largely because of their differences that the two men’s lives are worth studying alongside each other.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

In the two others, artifact installation is well underway.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

In fact, they lodged so firmly that I could use a lesson or two in not trying so hard.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026

Tottenham are currently 18th in the Premier League - two points behind West Ham, who are just above the drop zone.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

I check my phone and find two messages from Dad and my stomach turns its usual cartwheel.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Related Words

• couple
• double
• pair
• team