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 of handful

• 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

When a handful of specialist firms supply the readings that governments and agencies lean on, a quiet concentration of judgement builds up in places few people think to look. —Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026

The singer returned to the stage for a handful of concerts in 2025, marking her first time performing publicly since 2010. —Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 13 June 2026

Beautifully balanced with savory, sweet, salty and subtly-spicy flavor, these pecans are a hit by the handful or sprinkled on top of leafy green masterpieces like Copycat Panera Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad or Kale and Roasted Beet Salad with Hot Honey Vinaigrette. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2026

The credits, in which only three men’s names are listed alongside a handful of acknowledgments, elicited laughter throughout the theater. —Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 12 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for handful

• brimful
• mirthful
• 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