fewer
UK: ˈfjuːə | US: ˈfjuːər
adj. comparative form of "few," meaning a smaller number of countable items
The word "fewer" originates from Old English "fēawe," meaning "not many" or "small in number." The comparative suffix "-er" (from Old English "-ra") was added to form "fewer," directly comparing quantities of countable nouns. This follows the standard Germanic pattern of creating comparatives (e.g., "smaller," "taller"). Unlike "less," which compares uncountable quantities, "fewer" strictly applies to discrete items—a distinction preserved in modern English grammar.
There are fewer students in class today due to the holiday.
She made fewer mistakes in her essay after revising it.
Fewer than ten people attended the meeting.
The new policy resulted in fewer complaints.
I wish there were fewer distractions while I work.