fewest

Fewest is the superlative form of the adjective few, used with countable nouns to indicate the smallest number within a group of three or more. It denotes the minimal count among a set and is often used when the size of a group is unexpectedly small or noteworthy.

Usage and grammar: fewest applies only to countable nouns. For noncount or mass nouns, the superlative least is used. In the set of count nouns, the comparative forms are fewer (comparative) and fewest (superlative). The phrase as few as is common to express that a surprisingly small number is involved, as in “as few as ten people attended.”

Etymology and related forms: fewest derives from the Old English feawe, meaning not many, with the standard English comparative and superlative endings. Related forms include few and fewer; their use differs by number: few and fewer modify plural count nouns, while fewest marks the smallest quantity.

Usage notes: fewest often appears in statistics, results summaries, or reports where a minimum count is emphasized, such as “the fewest injuries in a season.” It can convey a negative or cautious tone, especially when the comparison highlights scarcity. In everyday speech, speakers may prefer least in contexts involving both countable and uncountable quantities, though fewest remains correct for count nouns.

Examples:

- The fewest participants completed the survey.

- This year had the fewest rainy days on record.

- As few as twenty people showed up for the meeting.