few and far between

phrase

Synonyms of few and far betweennext
: few in number and infrequently met : rare

Examples of few and far between in a Sentence

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.
With results on the field this season being among the lowest points in the club’s now 30-year history, smiles have been few and far between. — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026 But the full game tape shows those are few and far between — his hesitation and questionable decisions make the lowlights a near-constant. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026 The other special effects, like the spurts of air that shoot out of the headrests or the smells that waft throughout the theater, were few and far between during this screening. — Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Texans running backs Woody Marks and David Montgomery mostly found their success on stretch runs, but even those were relatively few and far between. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for few and far between

Word History

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of few and far between was in 1668

Rhymes for few and far between

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Browse Nearby Words

few
few and far between
fewer
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Cite this Entry

“Few and far between.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/few%20and%20far%20between. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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