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

Then, a handful of smaller and non-representative studies looking at kids in China, India and Iran who had experienced poor health outcomes after ongoing exposure to high levels of fluoride only fueled misinformation campaigns. —New Atlas, 30 Nov. 2025

Sumrall’s name was among those speculated to be in contention, along with former Penn State coach James Franklin, USF’s Alex Golesh, Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz and a handful of others. —Noah White, Miami Herald, 30 Nov. 2025

La Habra employed just a handful of different running plays. —Dan Albano, Oc Register, 30 Nov. 2025

The Vista Planning Commission held a public hearing on the plans in June with a handful of residents speaking in favor and against the proposal. —Stacy Brandt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Nov. 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