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

Peter Zenk Residents in Waite Park were picking up handfuls of hail after storms moved through the Stearns County community. —Nick Lentz, CBS News, 20 June 2026

The following are a handful of the most interesting and eye-opening revelations contained in the 2026 Emmys ballots. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 20 June 2026

After a handful of Giants players opted to add Bible verses to their Pride Night hats, plenty of former players and local leaders in other sectors have weighed in. —Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026

The concentration of capital around a handful of AI giants is changing the rules, but the game goes on. —Carl Fritjofsson, Fortune, 19 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