two
Smallest prime number
The name for the number 2 has obvious cousins in English that involve two things, such as twin, twine, and between.
Two does not have a derived ordinal word, and we use second instead.
Words in English that incorporate another language’s version of two, such as duopoly, zwieback, and deuce are all related historically since nearly all Indo-European languages have related words for two.
Single numeric character
- numeralSymbol denoting quantity
- integerNumber lacking fractions
- evenUniform and level
- primeReadying for action
cardinal · ordinal · figure · quantity · count · arithmetic · mathematics · addition
Two matching things
- partnersJoint venture participants
- duoTwo working together
- twosomeTwo together
- lovebirdsOpenly affectionate couple
sweethearts · romance · relationship · marriage · engagement · union · togetherness · bond
Two working together
- tandemSequential two-person arrangement
- dyadTwo forming one
- duetPiece for two
- braceDevice providing structural stability
doublet · matched · double · bilateral · bipartite · twosome · partnership · double act
Division into contrasting parts
- polarityState of opposing forces
- binaryConsisting of two parts
- contrastNotable difference between things
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
opposites · yin and yang · ambivalence · dilemma · flipside · juxtaposition · split · divergence
Consisting of two parts
- bitSmall amount or portion
- booleanTrue-or-false valued
- on-offHaving two states only
- true-falseExam with binary responses
Unit smaller than minute
- momentBrief period of time
- runner-upCompetition's silver finisher
- sequelContinuation of prior work
- second placeRanking below first
double take · rematch · encore · repeat · do-over · second chance · backup · alternate
digit
Single numeric character
prime · cardinal · ordinal · figure · quantity · count · arithmetic · mathematics · addition · pair
pair
Two matching things
lovebirds · sweethearts · romance · relationship · marriage · engagement · union · togetherness · bond · companionship
duo
Two working together
brace · doublet · matched · double · bilateral · bipartite · twosome · partnership · double act
dichotomy
Division into contrasting parts
- polarityState of opposing forces
- binaryConsisting of two parts
- contrastNotable difference between things
balance · opposites · yin and yang · ambivalence · dilemma · flipside · juxtaposition · split · divergence · antithesis
binary
Consisting of two parts
second
Unit smaller than minute
second place · double take · rematch · encore · repeat · do-over · second chance · backup · alternate
- two weeksFourteen consecutive days
- two by foursDimensional lumber pieces
- two o'clockSpecific afternoon hour
- number twoDeputy or runner-up
- two-way streetTraffic flows both ways
- two thirdsFraction equaling 0.667