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

Osvaldo displayed a handful of shiny quarters. —Chang-Rae Lee, New Yorker, 3 May 2026

Willard complimented that pair with a handful of high-scoring mid-major guards. —Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026

Some are whimsical, like a handful of bunnies hopping on a trampoline. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026

These are a handful of examples the government intends to highlight in a federal racketeering trial alleging that top International Brotherhood of Boilermakers executives schemed to steal $20 million in union funds for their personal use. —Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2026

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