three
5 synonyms for three, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Num — The number 3, one more than two and one less than four.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use three
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
the big three
three times
group of three
Etymology
From Old English þrī, from a very old Indo-European root for the number three, shared with Latin trēs and Greek treîs.
Full origin of three →Frequently asked questions
What does “three” mean?
The word “three” means the number 3, one more than two and one less than four. In plain terms, the number 3.
How do you pronounce “three”?
“Three” is pronounced three (/θɹiː/ in IPA).
How do you use “three” in a sentence?
Here is “three” used in a sentence: “She bought three apples at the market.”
What part of speech is “three”?
“Three” is a num.
Where does the word “three” come from?
The word “three” comes from Latin. From Old English þrī, from a very old Indo-European root for the number three, shared with Latin trēs and Greek treîs.
Is “three” a common word?
“Three” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How do you write the number 3 in words?
The number 3 is spelled 'three' as a word. As an ordinal, showing position in order, it becomes 'third,' as in third place. Written figures use the digit 3, while formal writing often spells small numbers out, so you would write 'three apples' rather than '3 apples' in a sentence.
What comes after three?
Four comes immediately after three when counting up, and two comes before it, so the sequence runs two, three, four. Three is one more than two and one less than four, sitting third in the natural counting order that begins one, two, three.
Is three a prime number?
Yes. Three is a prime number because it can only be divided evenly by one and itself. It is also an odd number and the second prime, after two. In everyday terms, three of anything cannot be split into two equal whole groups, which is part of what makes it prime.
