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
But there were a handful of doozies, including: — That DOGE had found hundreds of billions in fraud, but DOGE's numbers just don't add up.
—
Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 5 Mar. 2025
There aren’t many places to sit, save for a few folding chairs and tables here and there; only a handful of the home’s six bedrooms have mattresses in them propped up against walls.
—Paula Mejía, Billboard, 5 Mar. 2025
The Grandview police and fire departments have a handful of remaining chaplains who are not associated with IHOPKC, Poindexter said.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2025
Paris has mastered a handful of signature cuts — think French bobs, effortlessly perfect fringes, and long, layered styles.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handful
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Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 5 Mar. 2025
There aren’t many places to sit, save for a few folding chairs and tables here and there; only a handful of the home’s six bedrooms have mattresses in them propped up against walls.
—Paula Mejía, Billboard, 5 Mar. 2025
The Grandview police and fire departments have a handful of remaining chaplains who are not associated with IHOPKC, Poindexter said.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2025
Paris has mastered a handful of signature cuts — think French bobs, effortlessly perfect fringes, and long, layered styles.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 5 Mar. 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 13 Mar. 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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