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
When the humans return, there are only a handful, better clothed, hair braided and combed, new fashions.
—
Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
The cashmere fabric is super soft and comes in a handful of neutral colors, including brown, heather gray, and navy.
—Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
The light and lemony frosting is naturally hued from a handful of pureed blueberries.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025
Barricades were toppled over, beers were shotgunned, and some people even stormed the gates into the ballpark after a handful of fans left before the series was decided.
—Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handful
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Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
The cashmere fabric is super soft and comes in a handful of neutral colors, including brown, heather gray, and navy.
—Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
The light and lemony frosting is naturally hued from a handful of pureed blueberries.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025
Barricades were toppled over, beers were shotgunned, and some people even stormed the gates into the ballpark after a handful of fans left before the series was decided.
—Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 2 Nov. 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 4 Nov. 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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