flere

Flere is a word used in Danish and Norwegian that functions as a determiner and as a pronoun meaning more or several. It precedes plural nouns, as in personer eller ting, and can also act as the subject of a sentence. Examples include Danish: "Der er flere bøger på bordet" (there are more books on the table) and "Flere kom til mødet" (more people came to the meeting). In both languages, the expression "flere og flere" is common and means more and more.

Etymology and cognates: Flere is cognate with Swedish fler and Icelandic fleiri, reflecting shared North Germanic roots for the concept of plurality or increase. The form is characteristic of Danish and Norwegian, and its usage parallels similar words in other Scandinavian languages.

Usage notes: Flere is typically used with countable nouns and conveys a sense of a larger number relative to a previously stated amount. It is sometimes preferred over mange when emphasizing an increase or extension: for example, "flere studenter deltok" (more students participated) rather than just "mange studenter." In Norwegian and Danish, the common phrase "flere og flere" expresses a trend of increasing numbers, often contrasted with a smaller initial figure.

Relation to other terms: While flere can convey 'many' in some contexts, it is best understood as indicating a plural increase or an indefinite but countable quantity, distinct from "mange," which can be used more generally for large amounts without the explicit sense of progression.

See also: fler (Swedish), fleir/fleiri (Old Norse forms).