handful

noun

hand·​ful ˈhan(d)-ˌfu̇l 
plural handfuls ˈhan(d)-ˌfu̇lz  also handsful ˈhan(d)z-ˌfu̇l 
Synonyms of handful
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

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Examples of handful in a Sentence

The children collected seashells by the handful. Our dog is a real handful.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In his victory, King Edward VII commissioned a handful of jewelry pieces, including a luxurious diamond scarf pin. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 22 Aug. 2026 In years past, only a handful of divers have been permitted by the park to descend to the site where the plane’s aluminum body lays upholstered with colonies of invasive mussels. — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026 These are news outlets that don’t follow the league, have no idea who its players are, but can turn the WNBA into a way to discuss a handful of political talking points in the hopes of engaging its audience. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026 Discreetly, the clerk showed him a piece of paper listing a handful of organizations and individuals. — Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for handful

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of handful was before the 12th century

Rhymes for handful

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Browse Nearby Words

hand frame
handful
hand gallop
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Handful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handful. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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