handful
noun
hand·ful
ˈhan(d)-ˌfu̇l 
plural handfuls
ˈhan(d)-ˌfu̇lz
also handsful
ˈhan(d)z-ˌfu̇l
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
Examples of handful in a Sentence
The children collected seashells by the handful.
Our dog is a real handful.
Recent Examples on the Web
Irving will promote the new record with a handful of gigs, starting with a show May 4 at City Winery in New York City and another at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, NY on May 31.
—
Chris Willman, Variety, 28 Jan. 2025
Bulgari watches and jewelry are sold through select outlets including Selfridges, Saks and a handful of private jewelers, in addition to its own stores.
—Samantha Conti, WWD, 28 Jan. 2025
In June, Perry will perform a handful of arena shows throughout Australia, before heading back to the U.S. for July gigs in Phoenix, Anaheim and Inglewood, Calif. and San Francisco before concluding at Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena on July 21.
—Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025
Adding in hydropower and a handful of minor sources like geothermal brings the total renewable electricity generated in the first 11 months of 2024 up to 23 percent of the total demand.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 27 Jan. 2025
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Chris Willman, Variety, 28 Jan. 2025
Bulgari watches and jewelry are sold through select outlets including Selfridges, Saks and a handful of private jewelers, in addition to its own stores.
—Samantha Conti, WWD, 28 Jan. 2025
In June, Perry will perform a handful of arena shows throughout Australia, before heading back to the U.S. for July gigs in Phoenix, Anaheim and Inglewood, Calif. and San Francisco before concluding at Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena on July 21.
—Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025
Adding in hydropower and a handful of minor sources like geothermal brings the total renewable electricity generated in the first 11 months of 2024 up to 23 percent of the total demand.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for handful
Dictionary Entries Near handful
Cite this Entry
“Handful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handful. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
handful
noun
hand·ful
ˈhan(d)-ˌfu̇l
plural handfuls
-ˌfu̇lz
also handsful
ˈhan(d)z-ˌfu̇l
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
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