three
adjective
UK/θriː/US/θriː/
Denoting a number equivalent to the sum of one and two; one more than two.
Example Sentences
She has three siblings who all live in different cities.
They decided to adopt three puppies from the shelter.
The recipe calls for three cups of flour.
He scored three goals in the match, leading his team to victory.
Three is considered a lucky number in many cultures.
She wore a dress with three stripes running down the side.
The company plans to hire three new employees this quarter.
They built a house with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
noun (countable)
UK/θriː/US/θriː/
The number three.
Example Sentences
Three is a prime number and the second smallest prime.
She counted to three before jumping into the pool.
The three of them decided to start a business together.
He celebrated his third birthday with a big party.
The number three appears frequently in various cultural and religious contexts.
They formed a trio to perform at local events.
Three is often associated with concepts like harmony and balance.
In the story, the hero faces three major challenges before achieving his goal.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
How to Use
Denotes the numeric value of 3, indicating quantity or order.This term is primarily a cardinal number, used to specify a precise count of three. You might see it in daily tasks (“I need three apples”), measurements (“We walked three miles”), or sequential references (“The third example in a list”). Mathematically, it underlies countless equations, from simple arithmetic to more complex geometry and algebraic expressions. Commonly, you’ll also encounter it in time expressions (“three hours”), sports terminology (“a three-point shot in basketball”), or cultural references (“three wishes” in folk tales). Understanding how to place it correctly in sentences is straightforward: it precedes the noun (e.g., “three cats,” “three ideas”).In broader usage, the idea of three appears in patterns, groupings, or sets—like a trilogy of books, a triplet of siblings, or a triad in music theory. Even in scientific contexts, you’ll hear about three states of matter (solid, liquid, gas), though more states exist under certain conditions. At its core, this number acts as a staple of basic enumeration. Whenever you specify the exact quantity of three for objects or events, position it right before the relevant noun—“three tickets,” “three tasks”—to communicate your count with clarity.Another dimension lies in cultural symbolism: many traditions or stories highlight trios, such as “the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost” in Christian theology, or the “Three Jewels” in Buddhism. These instances underscore the notion that small sets of three can have profound meaning or impact. Because it’s compact yet encompassing, you often see “three” in structured guidelines like “three steps to success,” ensuring the instructions feel both manageable and complete. Mastery of this numeral is fundamental, as it’s among the first numbers children learn to count with, representing a stepping stone from smaller basic values to more complex calculations. Whether you use it in casual conversation or formal documentation, “three” consistently highlights a precise trio of items in a straightforward and universally recognized way.
Alternatives
Sometimes you can replace this term with synonyms or related constructs if you’d like a different tone or style. For instance, “trio” refers to a group of three people or things—often used in music or literature, as in “a jazz trio” or “the comedic trio.” “Triad” can be suitable in more formal or specialized contexts (like a “triad of factors influencing climate change”). “Triple” turns your focus toward multiplication or layering—think “a triple scoop of ice cream” or “triple threat” in sports and performing arts. Another variation is “triplet,” specifically for three siblings born at the same time or a set of three similar elements, such as “triplet babies” or “a poetic triplet.”Less formally, you might say something like “set of three,” especially when you’re describing a collection (“She has a set of three identical mugs”). “Triumvirate” belongs more to historical or political references (like the famous Roman triumvirate). Meanwhile, “threesome” is less common in polite conversation outside of certain contexts, so be mindful of the implications and setting. Ultimately, your choice depends on whether you’re highlighting a group dynamic, a multiplicative effect, or a straightforward numeric count. Using a synonym can provide variety in your writing or help you zero in on a more exact connotation, such as a close-knit partnership, a collectible arrangement, or a conceptual grouping. Just ensure the selected term fits the context—whether you’re discussing music, math, historical alliances, or simple quantities—and aligns with the intended level of formality.
Writing
When referencing “three” in writing, clarity is typically your priority. In academic or formal texts, you might spell it out as “three” rather than use the digit “3” for consistency with style guides. For instance, in APA style, numbers under 10 are usually spelled out, but in technical or scientific manuscripts, digits are often preferred for precision. If you’re enumerating steps or listing examples, “three” helps readers track the count—“three main steps,” “three key points”—keeping the structure organized and easy to follow.Descriptive writing often plays with the symbolism of three, hinting at completeness or stability in a narrative context: “She uncovered a chest, a scroll, and a mysterious gem—three puzzle pieces that guarded the kingdom’s secrets.” Such usage can impart a sense of rhythm or pattern. Many rhetorical devices employ trios—like the “rule of three” in public speaking, where grouping ideas in threes creates memorable impact, e.g., “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” If you use this device, ensure each element resonates with the overall message, maintaining balance. Overusing the number in the same section might dilute its effect, but applied sparingly, it becomes a potent structural tool that can elevate persuasive or creative writing. Ultimately, deciding whether to write “three” as a word or “3” as a numeral often depends on convention, clarity, and the expectations of your audience. In either case, the underlying function remains the same: describing a triad or a third position in a swift, universally recognized form.
Casual Conversation
In everyday talk, you’ll frequently hear this numeral for basic counting or small group references: “We have three people coming to dinner,” “We only need three copies of that file.” It’s one of the earliest words children learn, so it feels natural and intuitive in day-to-day life. You might say, “I’ll be there in three minutes,” giving a straightforward estimate of your arrival time, or “Give me three reasons why we should try that restaurant,” setting a quick requirement for someone’s argument.Conversation can also feature this number as part of common phrases or idioms: “Third time’s the charm,” signifying a hopeful outcome on a third attempt; “Two’s company, three’s a crowd,” lightly implying that adding one more person changes the dynamic. You’ll see it frequently in sports—like a “three-pointer” in basketball or a “triple play” in baseball—terms that highlight the significance of achieving a certain feat thrice or reaching that third position.Using “three” casually also extends to daily tasks, from cooking—“Add three teaspoons of sugar,” “Cook for three more minutes”—to shopping—“Buy three cans of tuna,” “Pick up three shirts if they’re on sale.” Its ease of use makes it ubiquitous. If you ever need to add emphasis, you can quickly slip it in: “That’s three times now you’ve missed your turn!” to underline a minor frustration with humor. The key is it’s simple, direct, and instantly grasped by anyone you’re chatting with, so it remains a staple numeral for nearly every type of casual communication, whether practical, playful, or situational.
Etymology
The English “three” hails from Old English “þrīe” (masculine) and “þrēo” (feminine/neuter), reflecting a Proto-Germanic root “þrijiz,” all pointing to the cardinal numeral for the quantity of three. This proto-form connects to the broader Indo-European linguistic family—Sanskrit “tri,” Latin “tres,” and Greek “tría,” among others—highlighting a consistent base concept of “three” across numerous ancient tongues.In Old English texts, spelling varied slightly depending on grammatical gender, but simplification over centuries led to the uniform “three” in Modern English, paralleling the way similar words stabilized (“two,” “four,” etc.). Throughout medieval and early modern eras, “three” featured significantly in cultural and religious contexts: the Holy Trinity in Christianity, triads of virtues or sins in moral literature, and so forth. As societies standardized numerals, advanced mathematics, and codified measures, the usage of “three” became universally recognized for the 3rd position in counting and the triple quantity in daily commerce, science, and culture. Today, it not only retains that fundamental numerical meaning but also carries connotations of completeness or harmony when grouped in triads, an enduring echo of ancient symbolic traditions.
