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

Lear wrote and produced a handful of TV series that featured disabled characters over the course of his career, and despite her experience, Watson praised him for giving actors like herself an opportunity to work in front of the camera. —Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025

In April 2023, a class action lawsuit was filed in California against Botanic Tonics and a handful of retailers selling Feel Free, accusing them of fraud and false advertising. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 Dec. 2025

Although the annual Buffalo Roundup is certainly one of the events that puts the state park on the map, there are a handful of other reasons to venture out to this part of South Dakota. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 28 Dec. 2025

Eat a handful of pistachios or almonds for a quick snack. —Hannah Harper, Health, 27 Dec. 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