two

1 of 3

adjective

1
: being one more than one in number
2
: being the second
used postpositively
section two of the instructions

two

2 of 3

pronoun

plural in construction
1
: two countable individuals not specified
only two were found
2
: a small approximate number of indicated things
only a shot or two were fired

two

3 of 3

noun

plural twos
1
: a number that is one more than one see Table of Numbers
2
: the second in a set or series
the two of spades
3
: a 2-dollar bill
4
: something having two units or members

Examples of two in a Sentence

Noun It was two in the morning.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
In the bit, Maya Rudolph’s Harris and Andy Samberg’s Doug Emhoff fretted over the two’s friendliness. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2024 Some of the notable attendees include Lori Harvey, model Alton Mason (both pictured above), Academy Award winner Natalie Portman, designer Riccardo Tisci, actress Laura Harrier, and artist Maya Margarita who was on the ones and twos, pictured below. Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 1 Oct. 2024 That piece is a polyrhythm-palooza — threes on twos, twos on threes, three-counts and two-counts alternating. Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2024 Where most studios animated on twos, meaning 12 unique drawings per second of footage, Williams animated the entire film on ones, or 24 drawings per second, giving it the same fluidity as live-action. Tim Brinkhof, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for two 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English twa, two, from Old English twā (feminine & neuter); akin to Old English twēgen two (masculine), (neuter), Old High German zwēne, Latin duo, Greek dyo

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Pronoun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Time Traveler
The first known use of two was before the 12th century

Cite this Entry

“Two.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/two. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

two

noun
ˈtü
plural twos
1
: a number that is one more than one see number
2
: the second in a set or series
two adjective or pronoun

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