two
two
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "two" is /tuː/.
/tuː/
Word Form Variations
Number/Determiner: two
Noun: two (singular, referring to the number itself or a pair), twos (plural, referring to multiples of two or cards/dice showing two spots)
Adjective: two (used attributively, e.g., "two apples," "two years old")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Number/Determiner
Definition 1: Equivalent to the sum of one and one; one more than one; 2.
Synonyms: a pair, a couple, dual, twin
Antonyms: one, three (as adjacent numbers)
Noun
Definition 1: The cardinal number 2.
Synonyms: couple, pair, brace, duet (if musical)
Antonyms: zero, one, three (as other numbers)
Definition 2: A group or set of two items or individuals.
Synonyms: pair, couple, duo, twosome, brace
Antonyms: individual, single, trio (as a contrasting number)
Definition 3: (Informal) Two o'clock (either AM or PM).
Synonyms: two o'clock, midday (if 2 PM), midnight (if 2 AM)
Antonyms: one (o'clock), three (o'clock)
Definition 4: (In card games or dice) A card or die face with two spots.
Synonyms: deuce (informal), pair (in poker)
Antonyms: ace, three (as other card/die values)
Adjective
Definition 1: Amounting to two in number. (Used attributively)
Synonyms: dual, double, twin, paired
Antonyms: single, one, triple, multiple
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities, 1859) - The title itself uses the word "Two."
"The detective found two crucial clues that led him closer to solving the mystery." (Fictional example from a crime novel)
"The book explores the concept of the two opposing forces of good and evil in human nature." (From a philosophical text or fantasy novel)
Newspapers:
"The Central Bank of Kenya lowered the interest rate by two percent, aiming to stimulate economic growth." ("Business Daily Africa,")
"At least two people were injured in a road accident on Waiyaki Way last night." ("Daily Nation,")
"The summit brought together leaders from two neighboring countries to discuss regional security." ("The Standard,")
Online Publications:
"Our top two picks for the best budget smartphones under Ksh 20,000 in Kenya." (An article on a tech review website, e.g., TechArena.co.ke)
"How two entrepreneurs built a successful startup from scratch with zero funding." (An article on a business or entrepreneurship blog, e.g., Entrepreneur.com)
"Learn the two most important rules of healthy eating for sustainable weight loss." (An article on a health and wellness blog, e.g., Healthline.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "It takes two to tango." (Common idiom, often referenced in films for a situation requiring mutual participation)
Television Series: "For your next challenge, two contestants will go head-to-head in a baking showdown." (Instructions on a reality cooking competition, e.g., MasterChef)
Song Lyrics: "It takes two to make a thing go right, it takes two to make it outta sight." (Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, "It Takes Two," 1988)
Video Games: "You have two lives remaining. Be careful." (In-game notification in an arcade or platformer game)
Podcasts: "In this episode, we're joined by two experts who will debate the pros and cons of artificial intelligence." (A podcast host introducing guests, e.g., Lex Fridman Podcast)
General Public Discourse:
"Can you get me two coffees, please?" (A common order at a coffee shop)
"I'll be there in two minutes." (A common estimate of time)
"We need two more people for our team." (A common request when forming a group)
"My child is two years old today." (A common statement about age)
"It's two o'clock; time for my break." (Stating the time)
"They're as like as two peas in a pod." (A common idiom for strong similarity)
"He got the short end of the stick." (This relates to an unequal division, where one side gets less than the other in a pair or group.)
10 Quotes Using Two
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities, 1859) - The novel's title is iconic.
"It takes two to tango." (Common idiom, widely used)
"Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer." (Often attributed to Sun Tzu or Niccolò Machiavelli, popularized by The Godfather Part II, 1974) - This implies a balance between two groups.
"There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it." (Oscar Wilde)
"A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it is not open." (Frank Zappa) - This refers to the crucial relationship between two states: open or closed.
"You never truly understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." (Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, 1960) - This implicitly refers to understanding a situation from two perspectives.
"Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country." (John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, 1961) - This presents two contrasting actions.
"My mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." (Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump in Forrest Gump, 1994) - This speaks to the two sides of uncertainty: positive and negative.
"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and sorry I could not travel both." (Robert Frost, "The Road Not Taken," 1916)
"Put two and two together." (Common idiom for drawing an obvious conclusion)
Etymology
The word "two" is one of the oldest and most fundamental words in the English language, with incredibly deep roots.
It comes directly from the Old English word twā (for feminine and neuter forms) or twēgen (for masculine forms).
These Old English words already meant "the cardinal number 2."
They trace back to Proto-Germanic (twai) and ultimately to an even older Proto-Indo-European root (dwóh₁) that also meant "two." This ancient root is why you'll find similar words for "two" in many other Indo-European languages (like Latin duo, Greek duo, and Sanskrit dvi).
The first known use of "two" in English, with the meaning of "the cardinal number 2," dates back to before the 9th century (Old English period). Its meaning has remained perfectly consistent for well over a thousand years, reflecting its fundamental role in counting and distinguishing quantity.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Two
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "two":
It takes two to tango: A situation or conflict requires the participation of two parties.
Two wrongs don't make a right: An ill deed or offense cannot be justified by another.
Kill two birds with one stone: To achieve two aims with a single action.
Put two and two together: To deduce the obvious conclusion from available facts.
Two heads are better than one: Two people working together can solve a problem more effectively than one person working alone.
Two of a kind: Two people or things that are very similar.
Like two peas in a pod: Very similar, especially in appearance or behavior.
Between two fires: Caught between two opposing dangers or difficult situations. (Synonymous with "between a rock and a hard place").
To be in two minds: To be undecided about something.
To have two left feet: To be clumsy or awkward, especially when dancing.
A tale of two cities: A situation or comparison involving two contrasting places or entities.
To give someone the two-step: To deliberately delay or mislead someone with evasive answers. (Lesser-known, informal).
To pull a double shift: To work two consecutive shifts. (Synonymous with "working for two").
The dynamic duo: Two individuals who are very effective when working together. (Synonymous with "a powerful two").
Two bits: (US informal, archaic) Twenty-five cents.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of two from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
