FEWEST

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does fewest mean? 

• FEWEST (adjective)
  The adjective FEWEST has 1 sense:

1. (superlative of 'few' used with count nouns and usually preceded by 'the') quantifier meaning the smallest in number

  Familiarity information: FEWEST used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FEWEST (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(superlative of 'few' used with count nouns and usually preceded by 'the') quantifier meaning the smallest in number

Context example:

the fewest birds in recent memory

Domain usage:

superlative (an exaggerated expression (usually of praise))

Antonym:

most ((superlative of 'many' used with count nouns and often preceded by 'the') quantifier meaning the greatest in number)

 Context examples 

One should always try to have the fewest obstacles possible between the mobile and the base station close by.

(Health threats caused by mobile phone radiation, EUROPARL TV)

You would not write to each other but upon the most urgent necessity in the world; and when obliged to take up the pen to say that such a horse is ill, or such a relation dead, it is done in the fewest possible words.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

I never presumed to speak, except in answer to a question; and then I did it with inward regret, because it was a loss of so much time for improving myself; but I was infinitely delighted with the station of an humble auditor in such conversations, where nothing passed but what was useful, expressed in the fewest and most significant words; where, as I have already said, the greatest decency was observed, without the least degree of ceremony; where no person spoke without being pleased himself, and pleasing his companions; where there was no interruption, tediousness, heat, or difference of sentiments.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)