three

[three]

noun

1. a cardinal number, 2 plus 1.

2. a symbol for this number, as 3 or III.

3. a set of this many persons or things.

4. a playing card, die face, or half of a domino face with three pips.

adjective

1. amounting to three in number.

three

/ θriː /

noun

1. the cardinal number that is the sum of two and one and is a prime number See also number

2. a numeral, 3, III, (iii), representing this number

3. the amount or quantity that is one greater than two

4. something representing, represented by, or consisting of three units such as a playing card with three symbols on it

5. Also called: three o'clock. three hours after noon or midnight

determiner

1. 1. amounting to three

      three ships

   2. ( as pronoun )

      three were killed

Word History and Origins

Origin of three¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English thrēo, thrīo, feminine and neuter of thrī(e); cognate with Dutch drie, German drei, Old Norse thrīr, Gothic threis, Greek treîs, Latin trēs “three,” ter “thrice,” Irish trí, Old Church Slavonic tri, Sanskrit trī, tráyas

Word History and Origins

Origin of three¹

Old English thrēo; related to Old Norse thrīr, Old High German drī, Latin trēs, Greek treis

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. three sheets in the wind. sheet.

Example Sentences

Feldman will miss three performances of the show over the weekend due to being in Toronto for the premiere of “Poetic License.”

From Los Angeles Times

Riley, who broke the Yankees’ postgame huddle with a speech, said he was far prouder of his three interceptions — a fourth being called back due to a penalty — than his two touchdown grabs.

From Los Angeles Times

All three locations shut down at 2 p.m.

From Los Angeles Times

Engagements have been sparse over the past three months.

From BBC

The Garnet fire burning in the Sierra National Forest in Fresno County has come within three miles of a stately grove of giant sequoias.

From Los Angeles Times