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

In 2027, the band will perform at a handful of high-profile festivals, too, including Primavera Sound in Barcelona and Best Kept Secret in the Netherlands. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026

For a kid with a handful of credits (a John Lewis Home Insurance ad among them), the difference was initially slightly jarring. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2026

Madan Keller says that the strategy aims to achieve major changes in just a handful of years. — Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 6 Nov. 2026

And then judge it by what a family actually saves on the whole cart, not on a handful of staples. — David L. Ortega, Fortune, 6 Nov. 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