[a few] {n.}
or {adj.}
A small number (of people or things); some.
* /The dry weather killed most of Mother's flowers, but a few are left./* /In the store, Mary saw many pretty rings and bracelets, and she wanted to buy a few of them./* /After the party, we thought that no one would help clean up, but a few couples did./* /Alice wanted to read a few pages more before she stopped./
- Usually "a few" is different in meaning from "few", which emphasizes the negative; "a few" means "some", but "few" means "not many".
* /We thought no one would come to lunch, but a few came./* /We thought many people would come to lunch, but few came./
But sometimes "a few" is used with "only", and then it is negative.
* /We thought many people would come to lunch, but only a few came./
- Sometimes used like an adverb.
* /Three students have no seats; we need a few more chairs./* /If we can set up chairs faster than people come and sit in them, we will soon be a few ahead./
- Sometimes used with "very" for emphasis.
* /Uncle Ralph gave away almost all of his sea shells, but he still had a very few left./
Compare: A LITTLE. Contrast: A LOT, QUITE A FEW.
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