two
Pronunciation: /tuː/
cardinal number
- equivalent to the sum of one and one; one less than three; 2: two years ago a romantic weekend for two in Paris two of Amy’s friends (Roman numeral: ii or II)
- a group or unit of two people or things: they would straggle home in ones and twos
- two years old: he is only two
- two o’clock: the pub closed at two
- a size of garment or other merchandise denoted by two.
- a playing card or domino with two pips.
Phrases
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a —— or two (or two or three ——)
- a small but unspecified number: a minute or two had passed
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be two a penny
- see penny
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in two
- in or into two halves or pieces: he tore the piece of paper in two
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in two shakes (of a lamb's tail)
- see shake
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it takes two to tango
- see tango1
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put two and two together
- draw an obvious conclusion from what is known or evident.
- (put two and two together and make five) draw a plausible but incorrect conclusion from what is known or evident.
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that makes two of us
- informal one is in the same position or holds the same opinion as the previous speaker: ‘I haven’t a clue!’ ‘That makes two of us.’
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two by two (or two and two)
- side by side in pairs: they came aboard two by two
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two can play at that game
- informal used to assert that one is equally capable of copying another’s strategy, to their disadvantage.
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two cents (or two cents' worth)
- North American informal an unsolicited opinion: Mom got her two cents in
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two's company, three's a crowd
- two people, especially lovers, should be left alone together.
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two heads are better than one
- proverb it’s helpful to have the advice or opinion of a second person.
Origin:
Old English twā (feminine and neuter) of Germanic origin; related to Dutch twee and German zwei, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin and Greek duo. Compare with twain
Do not confuse to with too or two. To usually means 'in the direction of' ( the next train to London); too means 'excessively' ( you’re driving too fast); two is the number between one and three.