a few Definition

few
adj

1. Not many; a small number; hardly any.

Example: She had few books on the shelf
Thesaurus: scarce, sparse, infrequent, scant, rare, sporadic, negligible, scattered.

pronoun

1. (used as a plural) hardly any things, people, etc.

Example: There were few today, but many yesterday
Thesaurus: not many, one or two, scarcely any, some, small number, a couple, handful, a small quantity, scattering.

Idiom: a few

A small number; some.
Example: He took a few into the garden
Example: He had a few rabbits in the hat

Idiom: as few as

No more than (a stated number).

Idiom: every few hours (every few days etc)

At intervals of a few hours, days etc.

Idiom: few and far between

colloq
Rare; scarce.
Thesaurus: rare, scarce, sparse.

Idiom: a good few (quite a few)

informal
A fairly large number; several.

Idiom: have had a few

colloq
To have drunk sufficient alcohol to affect one's behaviour.

Idiom: no fewer than

As many as (a stated number).

Idiom: precious few

colloq
Hardly any at all.

Idiom: the few

The minority of discerning people, as distinct from the many.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon feawe.

Info:

See Usage Note at less.