handful

noun

hand·​ful ˈhan(d)-ˌfu̇l 

plural handfuls ˈhan(d)-ˌfu̇lz  also handsful ˈhan(d)z-ˌfu̇l 

1

: as much or as many as the hand will grasp

2

: a small quantity or number

a handful of people

3

: as much as one can manage

the kids are quite a handful

Synonyms

• few
• couple

Examples of handful in a Sentence

The children collected seashells by the handful.

Our dog is a real handful.

Recent Examples on the Web

At the same time Tracks II dropped, the rocker also shared Lost and Found: Selections from the Lost Albums, a one-disc offering featuring just a handful of Springsteen’s new cuts at a budget price. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025

Snack smart: Choose snack foods that are good sources of proteins, such as a handful of nuts, seeds, or edamame. —Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 14 July 2025

He is credited with being one of the handful of players to approach Cowboys coach Tom Landry to stop assigning hotel roommates for road games by race, the Cowboys later shared in a documentary about Norman’s life. —Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025

Meridian Biotech was one of a handful of presenters at the competition, which also drew ideas to turn stillage into biofuels, vegetable oil and a diabetic-friendly sugar substitute. —Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 14 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for handful

• brimful
• mouthful
• roomful
• spoonful
• full
• pull
• wool

Kids Definition

handful

noun

hand·​ful ˈhan(d)-ˌfu̇l 

plural handfuls -ˌfu̇lz  also handsful ˈhan(d)z-ˌfu̇l 

1

: as much or as many as the hand will grasp

a handful of jelly beans

2

: a small quantity or number

a handful of people

3

: as much as one can control or manage

the three babies are quite a handful