Few vs. Little — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 26, 2024
Few refers to a small number of countable items, while little is used with uncountable nouns to indicate a small quantity.
Difference Between Few and Little
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Few is used when referring to a small number of countable items. It suggests a scarcity but indicates that there are still some items present. Little, on the other hand, is used with uncountable nouns to indicate a small quantity of something.
Few often carries a slightly more optimistic tone, suggesting that while the number is small, the presence of items is still significant. For instance, saying "I have a few friends coming over" implies a small number of guests but also conveys that the company is valued and anticipated. Little tends to convey a more negative nuance, suggesting that the amount is insufficient or less than desired.
In usage, "few" can be modified to "a few" to express a slightly larger number or more optimism, while "little" can change to "a little" to indicate a slightly larger quantity or a more positive outlook. "A few" implies a small, possibly adequate number, whereas "a little" suggests a small amount that might still be seen as positive or sufficient.
Comparison Chart
Noun Type
Countable
Uncountable
Example Noun
Apples, books, days
Water, sand, air
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Implication
Small number, some presence
Small quantity, scarcity
Modified Form
A few (more positive)
A little (slightly more)
Tone
Slightly optimistic
Often negative
Compare with Definitions
Few
A handful of; a small group.
A few of us are going out tonight.
Little
A small quantity of; not much.
There's little milk left.
Few
Not many but some.
Only a few students passed the exam.
Little
Hardly any; minimal.
There's little reason to complain.
Few
Hardly any; minimal.
We had few options left.
Little
Seldom; rarely.
Little did he know about the surprise waiting for him.
Few
A small number of.
I have a few coins in my pocket.
Little
Small in size, amount, or degree.
He gave a little smile.
Few
Seldom; not often.
Few people understand the complexity.
Little
A small amount of time or distance.
We arrived a little late.
Few
Amounting to or consisting of a small number
One of my few bad habits. See Usage Note at less.
Little
Small in size, amount, or degree (often used to convey an appealing diminutiveness or express an affectionate or condescending attitude)
A little puppy dog
A boring little man
The plants will grow into little bushes
Few
Being more than one but indefinitely small in number
Bowled a few strings.
Little
A small amount of
You only see a little of what he can do
We got a little help from a training scheme
Few
An indefinitely small number of persons or things
A few of the books have torn jackets.
Little
Used to emphasize how small an amount is
The rouble is worth so little these days
He ate and drank very little
There was very little time to be lost
I have little doubt of their identity
Few
An exclusive or limited number
The discerning few.
The fortunate few.
Little
A small amount of
We got a little help from a training scheme
You only see a little of what he can do
Few
(preceded by another determiner) An indefinite, but usually small, number of.
There are a few cars (=some, but a relatively small number) in the street.
Quite a few people (=a significant number) were pleasantly surprised.
I think he's had a few drinks. [This usage is likely ironic.]
Little
Used to emphasize how small an amount is
I have little doubt of their identity
He ate and drank very little
The rouble is worth so little these days
There was very little time to be lost
Few
(used alone) Not many; a small (in comparison with another number stated or implied) but somewhat indefinite number of.
There are very few people who understand quantum theory.
I was expecting a big crowd at the party, but very few people (=almost none) turned up.
Little
To a small extent
I was always a little afraid of her
He reminded me a little of my parents
Few
Obscuring one to two oktas (eighths) of the sky.
Tonight: A few clouds. Increasing cloudiness overnight.
NOAA definition of the term "few clouds": An official sky cover classification for aviation weather observations, descriptive of a sky cover of 1/8 to 2/8. This is applied only when obscuring phenomena aloft are present--that is, not when obscuring phenomena are surface-based, such as fog.
Little
Only to a small extent; not much or often (used for emphasis)
He was little known in this country
He had slept little these past weeks
Few
(US?) Having a 10 percent chance of measurable precipitation (0.01 inch); used interchangeably with isolated.
Little
Small in size
A little dining room.
Few
Few people, few things.
Many are called, but few are chosen.
Little
Small in quantity or extent
A little money.
A little work on the side.
Few
Not many; small, limited, or confined in number; - indicating a small portion of units or individuals constituting a whole; often, by ellipsis of a noun, a few people.
Few know and fewer care.
Little
Short in extent or duration; brief
There is little time left.
Few
An indefinite but relatively small number;
They bought a case of beer and drank a few
Little
Unimportant; trivial
A little matter.
Few
A small elite group;
It was designed for the discriminating few
Little
Narrow; petty
Mean little comments.
A little mind consumed with trivia.
Few
A quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by `a'; a small but indefinite number;
A few weeks ago
A few more wagons than usual
An invalid's pleasures are few and far between
Few roses were still blooming
Few women have led troops in battle
Little
Having scant power or influence; of minor status
Just a little clerk in the records office.
Little
Being at an early stage of growth; young
A little child.
Little
Younger or youngest. Used especially of a sibling
My little brother is leaving for college next week.
Little
Not much; scarcely
Works long hours, sleeping little.
Little
Not in the least; not at all
They little expected such a generous gift.
Little
A small quantity or amount
Give me a little.
Little
Something much less than all
I know little of their history.
Little
A short distance or time
A little down the road.
Waited a little.
Little
Small in size.
This is a little table.
Little
Insignificant, trivial.
It's of little importance.
Little
(offensive) Used to belittle a person.
Listen up, you little shit.
Little
Very young.
Did he tell you any embarrassing stories about when she was little?
That's the biggest little boy I've ever seen.
Little
(of a sibling) Younger.
This is my little sister.
Little
(often capitalized) Used with the name of a place, especially of a country or its capital, to denote a neighborhood whose residents or storekeepers are from that place.
Little
(derogatory) To imply that the inhabitants of the place have an insular attitude and are hostile to those they perceive as foreign.
Little
Having few members.
Little herd
Little
Operating on a small scale.
Little Steel (smaller steel companies, as contrasted with Big Steel)
Little Science (science performed by individuals or small teams, as contrasted with Big Science)
Little
Short in duration; brief.
I feel better after my little sleep.
Little
Small in extent of views or sympathies; narrow; shallow; contracted; mean; illiberal; ungenerous.
Little
Not much.
This is a little known fact.
She spoke little and listened less.
We slept very little last night.
Little
Not at all.
I was speaking ill of Fred; little did I know that he was right behind me, listening in.
Little
Not much, only a little: only a small amount (of).
There is (very) little water left.
We had very little to do.
Little
Not much; not a large amount.
Little is known about his early life.
Little
A small amount.
Can I try a little of that sauce?
Little did he do to make me comfortable.
If you want some cake, there's a little in the refrigerator
Many littles make a mickle. (Scottish proverb)
Little
A child; particularly an infant.
Little
A newly initiated member of a sorority, who is mentored by a big.
Little
The participant in ageplay who acts out the younger role.
Little
(countable) One who has mentally age regressed to a childlike state.
Little
Small in size or extent; not big; diminutive; - opposed to big or large; as, a little body; a little animal; a little piece of ground; a little hill; a little distance; a little child.
He sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
Little
Short in duration; brief; as, a little sleep.
Best him enough: after a little time,I'll beat him too.
Little
Small in quantity or amount; not much; as, a little food; a little air or water.
Conceited of their little wisdoms, and doting upon their own fancies.
Little
Small in dignity, power, or importance; not great; insignificant; contemptible.
When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes?
Little
Small in force or efficiency; not strong; weak; slight; inconsiderable; as, little attention or exertion;little effort; little care or diligence.
By sad experiment I knowHow little weight my words with thee can find.
Little
Small in extent of views or sympathies; narrow; shallow; contracted; mean; illiberal; ungenerous.
The long-necked geese of the world that are ever hissing dispraise,Because their natures are little.
The men, and the women, and the little ones.
Little
That which is little; a small quantity, amount, space, or the like.
Much was in little writ.
There are many expressions, which carrying with them no clear ideas, are like to remove but little of my ignorance.
Little
A small degree or scale; miniature.
A little, to or in a small degree; to a limited extent; somewhat; for a short time. " Stay a little."
The painter flattered her a little.
Little
In a small quantity or degree; not much; slightly; somewhat; - often with a preceding it.
Little
A small amount or duration;
He accepted the little they gave him
Little
Limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent;
A little dining room
A little house
A small car
A little (or small) group
A small voice
Little
(quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with `a') at least some;
Little rain fell in May
Gave it little thought
Little hope remained
Little time is left
We still have little money
A little hope remained
A little time is left
Little
Of short duration or distance;
A brief stay in the country
In a little while
It's a little way away
Little
Not fully grown;
What a big little boy you are
Small children
Little
(informal terms) small and of little importance;
A fiddling sum of money
A footling gesture
Our worries are lilliputian compared with those of countries that are at war
A little (or small) matter
Mickey Mouse regulations
A dispute over niggling details
Limited to petty enterprises
Piffling efforts
Giving a police officer a free meal may be against the law, but it seems to be a picayune infraction
Little
(of a voice) faint;
A little voice
A still small voice
Little
Younger brother or sister;
Little brother
Little
Lowercase;
Little a
Small a
E.e.cummings's poetry is written all in minuscule letters
Little
Small in a way that arouses feelings (of tenderness or its opposite depending on the context);
A nice little job
Bless your little heart
My dear little mother
A sweet little deal
I'm tired of your petty little schemes
Filthy little tricks
What a nasty little situation
Little
Not much;
He talked little about his family
Common Curiosities
Can 'few' and 'little' be positive?
Yes, using "a few" or "a little" adds a more positive nuance, suggesting a small but adequate amount.
Are 'few' and 'little' interchangeable?
No, they are used with different types of nouns: 'few' with countable and 'little' with uncountable nouns.
What does 'few' mean?
Few refers to a small number of countable items, indicating a small but significant quantity.
How can I remember the difference between 'few' and 'little'?
Remember that 'few' is for items you can count, and 'little' is for quantities you can't measure individually.
How is 'little' used differently from 'few'?
Little is used with uncountable nouns to denote a small quantity, focusing on volume rather than number.
What are examples of uncountable nouns for 'little'?
Uncountable nouns include substances or concepts like water, sand, or happiness, where individual units aren’t distinguished.
Is 'a few' the same as 'few'?
"A few" has a slightly more positive tone, suggesting a small but adequate number, whereas "few" emphasizes scarcity.
Is 'a little' the same as 'little'?
"A little" indicates a slightly larger or more positive quantity than "little," which often suggests insufficiency.
What are examples of countable nouns for 'few'?
Countable nouns include items like books, days, or apples, where you can count the individual units.
How do 'few' and 'little' affect the tone of a sentence?
"Few" can convey a more optimistic tone, while "little" often suggests a lack or insufficiency.
Can 'few' imply negativity?
While "few" can highlight scarcity, it often has a less negative connotation than "little," suggesting some presence rather than absence.
Can 'very' modify 'few' and 'little'?
Yes, "very" can precede both to intensify the scarcity, as in "very few options" or "very little time."
Why are 'few' and 'little' important in language?
They help specify quantity and scarcity, providing nuanced detail about the amount of something in a context-specific manner.
Does 'little' always mean not enough?
"Little" often conveys that the amount is less than desired, but "a little" can imply that the small amount is still appreciated or sufficient.
Do 'few' and 'little' have opposite meanings?
Not opposite, but they highlight different aspects of scarcity—'few' for countable scarcity and 'little' for uncountable scarcity.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
