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

Defensive depth on display in dominant performance As the Falcons took the field for their fourth drive of Friday’s game, they were mirrored by a handful of Denver’s defensive starters. — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Among the handful of natural mineral spring spa-hotels here is the Azure Palm Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa Oasis, new to the scene in 2021 after a full overhaul of an older property. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026

Replay showed the skipper taking mild exception to a low, first-pitch strike call on García with two out, but Carapazza, following a handful of ABS challenges earlier in the game, gave Boone a quick hook nonetheless. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026

Here’s a handful of titles that stand out from the deep catalogue. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 15 Aug. 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