few
Not very many
Few characterizes quantity as being significantly more than one, but not numerous.
There is a difference in connotation when few is preceded by a; this gives few a positive or neutral connotation, whereas without a, few may have a negative connotation: compare A few people came to help us with Few people came to help us.
You should use fewer and fewest with count nouns, rather than less and least: Fewer than ten people came, not less than ten people came.
Amount a palm holds
- coupleTwo linked together
- severalMore than two, fewer than many
- trioGroup of three
- quartetEnsemble of four
smattering · sprinkling · fraction · modicum · scant · meager · sparse · minimal
Seldom found or seen
- uncommonSeldom occurring or found
- infrequentHappening only occasionally
- sporadicOccurring irregularly, infrequently
- occasionalHappening at intervals
isolated · exceptional · unusual · seldom · scattered · intermittent · irregular · periodic
Deficient supply of necessities
- dearthAcute shortage of something
- lackDeficiency or absence
- insufficiencyShortfall in amount needed
- deficitAmount still owed
shortfall · inadequate · rationed · in short supply · depleted · stretched thin · hard to come by · at a premium
Carefully pick from options
- eliteSuperior select group
- chosenSelected from alternatives
- privilegedHaving special advantages
- exclusiveLimited to one group
restricted · members-only · handpicked · curated · discriminating · rarified · inner circle · special
handful
Amount a palm holds
quartet · smattering · sprinkling · fraction · modicum · scant · meager · sparse · minimal · limited
rare
Seldom found or seen
- uncommonSeldom occurring or found
- infrequentHappening only occasionally
- sporadicOccurring irregularly, infrequently
occasional · isolated · exceptional · unusual · seldom · scattered · intermittent · irregular · periodic · once in a while
shortage
Deficient supply of necessities
- dearthAcute shortage of something
- lackDeficiency or absence
- insufficiencyShortfall in amount needed
deficit · shortfall · inadequate · rationed · in short supply · depleted · stretched thin · hard to come by · at a premium · not enough
select
Carefully pick from options
- eliteSuperior select group
- chosenSelected from alternatives
- privilegedHaving special advantages
exclusive · restricted · members-only · handpicked · curated · discriminating · rarified · inner circle · special · vetted
fewmany
A large quantity
numerous · countless · innumerable · myriad · multitudinous
- a fewSmall quantity
- quite a fewA considerable number
- few and far betweenRarely encountered, widely spaced
- man of few wordsSomeone who rarely speaks
- a fair fewA moderate amount
- few cards shy of a full deckLacking full mental capacity