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
The previous period, One Thing at a Time infiltrated the chart with 36 smashes, and only a handful of them fell away after a few days.
—
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
But again, a handful of airports have earlier requirements.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
But add in a handful more spices and the whole world of cuisines can be at your fingertips.
—Kelly Brant, Arkansas Online, 27 May 2025
But as the clouds hung over the practice field, just outside of Bank of America Stadium, a handful of young playmakers stood out during individual and team drills.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 27 May 2025
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Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
But again, a handful of airports have earlier requirements.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
But add in a handful more spices and the whole world of cuisines can be at your fingertips.
—Kelly Brant, Arkansas Online, 27 May 2025
But as the clouds hung over the practice field, just outside of Bank of America Stadium, a handful of young playmakers stood out during individual and team drills.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 27 May 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 2 Jun. 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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