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
Noun
Each celebration had top-notch touches, from a performance from D-Nice on the ones and twos in Chi-Town, to a chartered yacht in the South of France for guests to be able to experience St. Tropez post-wedding. Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 29 Feb. 2024 The zone, which focused on protecting the rim and minimizing clean three-point opportunities while speeding things up with its full-court press element, forced the Wizards to take 17 non-rim two-point shots (13 non-rim paint shots and four non-paint twos) in the second half. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2024 Israeli attempts to free the hostages by military force have produced mixed results, with some succeeding in rescuing ones and twos, while others have ended in disaster. Raphael S. Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2024 The Los Angeles Record Fair is slanging records, Beat Swap Meet DJs are on the ones and twos, Los Supreme Car Club exhibits lowriders and SELA Art Center hosts a free costume life drawing with resident artist Shadia Elise. Kamren Curiel, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2024 His effective field goal percentage, which only takes into account twos and threes, ranks 43rd among 54 players who take at least 15 shots per game this season. Brian Sampson, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023 However, in the last couple years, part ones and twos have started to return again, at least until a few weeks ago when Mission: Impossible 8 decided to drop its part two title. Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2023 Turning 3 is a big deal as children transition from that terrible twos toddler stage to talkative preschoolers with wild imaginations and bodies. Samantha McIntyre, Parents, 24 Oct. 2023 Those earliest snaps between the Dallas twos and Jacksonville ones arguably should carry extra weight in the Cowboys’ overall evaluation, but all film counts toward the 53-man roster and 16-man practice squad’s composition. Michael Gehlken, Dallas News, 11 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'two.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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 19 Mar. 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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