Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Being one more than one; having a quantity of two: Used to describe a pair or a set consisting of exactly two items or units.

2. Noun:

   • The cardinal number that is the sum of one and one; the numeral 2: Represents the quantity or count of two.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The recipe requires ii eggs. (The recipe requires two eggs.)
  • She has ii brothers. (She has two brothers.)

• Noun:

  • The number after one is ii. (The number after one is two.)
  • Divide the total by ii. (Divide the total by two.)

Advanced Usage

• In formal or archaic numbering: The Roman numeral "ii" is sometimes used in formal contexts like outlines, clock faces, or to denote sequence (e.g., Volume ii, Henry ii).
  • The event is scheduled for Phase ii of the project.
  • He is reading Act ii, Scene iii of the play.

Variants and Related Words

• Two (adj, n): The standard modern English word for the number 2.
• Second (adj, n): Denoting position in a sequence (e.g., ).
• Pair (n): A set of two things used together or regarded as a unit (e.g., ).
• Double (adj): Consisting of two equal, identical, or similar parts or things (e.g., ).
• Dual (adj): Having two parts, elements, or aspects (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• Couple (n): Two individuals of the same sort considered together.
• Duo (n): A pair of people or things, especially in music or performance.
• Brace (n): A pair of things, typically of the same kind (e.g., ).
• Twain (n, archaic): Two.

Related Phrases

• In two: Into two pieces or parts.
  • He broke the bread in two.
• Two by two: In pairs.
  • The animals entered the ark two by two.
• It takes two to tango: An idiom meaning that certain activities or conflicts require the participation of two parties.
  • He blamed her entirely, but it takes two to tango.

Related Idioms

• Kill two birds with one stone: To achieve two aims with a single action.
  • By cycling to work, I save money and get exercise—killing two birds with one stone.
• Two heads are better than one: Collaboration leads to better results.
  • Let's work on this problem together; two heads are better than one.
• Of two minds: Unable to decide between two options; uncertain.
  • I'm of two minds about accepting the job offer.

Adjective

1. being one more than one
   • he received two messages

Noun

1. the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number