three

noun

ˈthrē 

1

: a number that is one more than 2 see Table of Numbers

2

: the third in a set or series

the three of hearts

3

a

: something having three units or members

b

: three-pointer

three adjective

three pronoun, plural in construction

Examples of three in a Sentence

“What time is it?” “It's three.”

I leave each day at three.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Pistons were only able to make 6-of-30 threes in Game 4 and the Magic continued to frustrate Detroit star Cade Cunningham. —Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026

The lone outliers were Pritchard’s fifth and sixth threes of the game, both of which were assisted by Tatum. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Apr. 2026

Top threes are Cards RB Jeremiyah Love at +200, Titans WR Carnell Tate +350 and Raiders’ Mendoza +400; and Jets DE David Bailey +350 then Giants LB Arvell Reese and Commanders LB Sonny Styles both +500. —Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026

The interlocking trivets lock together in twos, threes and fours for large casserole dishes and baking sheets, making a great runner for family style tablescapes. —Tory Johnson, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from three, adjective, from Old English thrīe (masculine), thrēo (feminine & neuter); akin to Old High German drī three, Latin tres, Greek treis

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing three

• best (out) of three/five/seven
• the three R's
• thirty-three
• three-bagger
• three-ball
• three-card monte
• three cheers for
• three-color
• three-cornered
• three-decker
• three-dimensional
• three-gaited
• three-handed
• three-legged
• three-legged race
• three-mile limit
• three of a kind
• three-peat
• three-phase
• three-piece
• three-piece suit
• three-piece suite
• three-ply
• three-pointer
• three-point landing
• three-point line
• three-point turn
• three-quarter
• three-quarter-bound
• three-quarters
• three-ring circus
• three R's
• three sheets in the wind
• three sheets to the wind
• three sisters
• three-spined stickleback
• three-toed sloth
• three-way
• three-wheeler
• two's company, three's a crowd

Rhymes for three

• be
• bee
• bree
• cree
• fee
• flea
• flee
• free
• gee
• ghee
• glee
• he

Kids Definition

three

noun

ˈthrē 

1

: a number that is one more than 2 see number

2

: the third in a set or series

the three of hearts

3

a

: something having three units or members

b

: three-pointer

three adjective or pronoun