three
Noun pluralthrees (some meanings)
Pluralthrees (some meanings)
- 1The number after two and before four, written 3, or a quantity of that many.
Three students volunteered to lead the morning session.
The committee narrowed the candidates down to three finalists.
UsageIn a compound modifier before a noun, use a hyphen and a singular unit: a three-day trip (not
incorrect: a three-days trip). - 2The time of three o'clock, whether in the morning or the afternoon.
The flight was delayed, so we didn't land until three.
She wakes at three to start baking the day's bread.
UsageUsually after at, by or until: meet at three, back by three.
- 3Short for three-pointer: in basketball, a shot made from beyond the three-point line, worth three points.
The guard sank a three to tie the game.
Down by two, the coach drew up a play for a three.
UsagePlayers hit, sink or make a three; threes counts them over a game or season.
Note
Basketball clips three-pointer down to its first word, and the clipped form keeps only the court meaning: a basket made from beyond the three-point line. The full word can also name a three-point landing or a deer with three tines, but the short form stays with the shot.
Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 4 facts
- Basketball three is an abbreviation of three-pointer. en.wiktionary.org
- A basketball three-pointer is a basket made from beyond the three-point line. en.wiktionary.org
- Three-pointer can mean a three-point landing. en.wiktionary.org
- Three-pointer can mean a deer with three antler tines. en.wiktionary.org
Less common meanings
- 4The written figure or digit 3, as it appears in print or handwriting.
The child practiced writing a neat three over and over.
On the old sign, the three had nearly worn away.
- 5A young child who has reached the age of three.
Our preschool puts the threes and fours together for music, and they all sing along.
The daycare keeps the twos and threes in separate rooms.
- 6The playing card marked with three pips of its suit.
She led with the three of hearts.
He kept the three back, hoping to pair it later.
Similartrey
- 7Anything that measures three units, such as in length, weight, or size.
According to the new size chart, she's a three.
Sort the screws by length and keep all the threes in the blue tray.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
'Three' comes from Middle English 'thre', from Old English 'þrī', from Proto-West Germanic '*þrīʀ' and Proto-Germanic '*þrīz', ultimately from Proto-Indo-European '*tréyes'. It is cognate with German 'drei', Latin 'trēs', Greek 'treís', and Lithuanian 'trỹs', among others.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
- Three derives through Middle English thre, Old English þrī, Proto-West Germanic *þrīʀ and Proto-Germanic *þrīz from Proto-Indo-European *tréyes. en.wiktionary.org
- Three is cognate with German drei, Latin trēs, Greek treís and Lithuanian trỹs. en.wiktionary.org