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 opening 45-minute outburst was the third time in MLS that LAFC (5-0-1, 16 points) scored a handful of goals in a half.
—
Josh Gross, Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
The Democrat and his wife, Patricia Villaraigosa, paid taxes in a handful of states, including Arizona, Maryland, New Mexico and Virginia.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
The couple have also stepped out together on the red carpet a handful of times, including at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, the New York premiere of Irish Wish in March 2024, and the Los Angeles premiere of Freakier Friday on July 22.
—Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 4 Apr. 2026
But if all students rely on AI, their answers may become more polished but fall into just a handful of similar categories, Sourati said.
—Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handful
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Josh Gross, Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
The Democrat and his wife, Patricia Villaraigosa, paid taxes in a handful of states, including Arizona, Maryland, New Mexico and Virginia.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
The couple have also stepped out together on the red carpet a handful of times, including at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, the New York premiere of Irish Wish in March 2024, and the Los Angeles premiere of Freakier Friday on July 22.
—Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 4 Apr. 2026
But if all students rely on AI, their answers may become more polished but fall into just a handful of similar categories, Sourati said.
—Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handful
Cite this Entry
“Handful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handful. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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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