Definition

Noun The state or quality of being few in number; a small number or quantity.

Usage

"Fewness" is a formal or literary noun used to describe the condition of there being not many of something. It emphasizes the smallness of a count or quantity, often in contrast to a larger or expected amount. It is typically used with abstract concepts or countable nouns.

Examples

• The fewness of the attendees made the large hall feel empty.
• Historians note the fewness of primary sources from that period.
• The main challenge was the fewness of qualified applicants for the position.

Advanced Usage

• "the fewness of": This is the most common construction, used to specify what is scarce.
  • The report highlighted the fewness of errors in the new system.
• Used in comparative or evaluative contexts to discuss scarcity.
  • What surprised us was not the cost, but the sheer fewness of available options.

Variants and Related Words

• Few (adjective/determiner/pronoun): A small number of. ()
• Fewer (comparative adjective/determiner): A smaller number of. ()

Synonyms

• Scarcity
• Paucity
• Sparseness
• Rarity
• Shortage

Antonyms

• Abundance
• Plenitude
• Multitude
• Numerousness

Noun

1. the quality of being small in number