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
Examples of handful in a Sentence
The children collected seashells by the handful.
Our dog is a real handful.
Recent Examples on the Web
At the same time Tracks II dropped, the rocker also shared Lost and Found: Selections from the Lost Albums, a one-disc offering featuring just a handful of Springsteen’s new cuts at a budget price.
—
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Snack smart: Choose snack foods that are good sources of proteins, such as a handful of nuts, seeds, or edamame.
—Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 14 July 2025
He is credited with being one of the handful of players to approach Cowboys coach Tom Landry to stop assigning hotel roommates for road games by race, the Cowboys later shared in a documentary about Norman’s life.
—Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025
Meridian Biotech was one of a handful of presenters at the competition, which also drew ideas to turn stillage into biofuels, vegetable oil and a diabetic-friendly sugar substitute.
—Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for handful
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Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Snack smart: Choose snack foods that are good sources of proteins, such as a handful of nuts, seeds, or edamame.
—Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 14 July 2025
He is credited with being one of the handful of players to approach Cowboys coach Tom Landry to stop assigning hotel roommates for road games by race, the Cowboys later shared in a documentary about Norman’s life.
—Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025
Meridian Biotech was one of a handful of presenters at the competition, which also drew ideas to turn stillage into biofuels, vegetable oil and a diabetic-friendly sugar substitute.
—Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for handful
Cite this Entry
“Handful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handful. Accessed 19 Jul. 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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