Few vs. Minimal — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Few and Minimal
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Compare with Definitions
Few
Amounting to or consisting of a small number
One of my few bad habits. See Usage Note at less.
Minimal
Of a minimum amount, quantity, or degree; negligible
The aircraft suffered minimal damage
Production costs are minimal
Few
Being more than one but indefinitely small in number
Bowled a few strings.
Minimal
Characterized by the use of simple forms or structures, especially geometric or massive ones.
Few
An indefinitely small number of persons or things
A few of the books have torn jackets.
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Minimal
Characterized by the repetition and gradual alteration of short phrases.
Few
An exclusive or limited number
The discerning few.
The fortunate few.
Minimal
(of a pair of forms) distinguished by only one feature
‘p’ and ‘b’ are a minimal pair, distinguished by the feature of voicing
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.]
Minimal
Smallest in amount or degree
The job's minimal qualifications are a BS with two years' experience in the field.
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.
Minimal
Small in amount or degree
A drug with minimal side effects.
Was able to walk with minimal discomfort.
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.
Minimal
Only barely adequate
Insurance policies with minimal coverage for damage to the car.
Few
(US?) Having a 10 percent chance of measurable precipitation (0.01 inch); used interchangeably with isolated.
Minimal
Often Minimal Of, relating to, or being minimalism.
Few
Few people, few things.
Many are called, but few are chosen.
Minimal
The smallest possible amount, quantity, or degree.
With minimal effort, you won't be able to achieve all your dreams.
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.
Minimal
(arts) Characterised by the use of simple form or structures.
Few
An indefinite but relatively small number;
They bought a case of beer and drank a few
Minimal
(music) Characterised by the repetition and gradual alteration of short phrases.
Few
A small elite group;
It was designed for the discriminating few
Minimal
Something very small; a tiny part or fragment.
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
Minimal
Of, pertaining to, or having a character of, a minim or minimum; least; smallest; as, a minimal amount or value.
Minimal
The least possible;
Needed to enforce minimal standards
Her grades were minimal
Minimum wage
A minimal charge for the service
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