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

Most studies only look at brief exchanges, a single question and answer, or at most a handful of back-and-forth messages. —Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2025

Peoples and Donaldson will have a spot in the Ohio State running back rotation all year, as Peoples is a good back and Donaldson is a handful to bring down. —Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025

Wideout Sean Brown played just a handful of snaps and didn’t see a target after not practicing throughout the week. —Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 14 Sep. 2025

Many of them have become hugely successful, but only a handful have held on for historically-long stays. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 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