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Definition of handful

handful

/ˈhænd.fʊl/
hand · ful
Plural:handfuls
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handful Lexical Profile

handful Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A small number or amount of people or things.

Example

"Only a handful of students attended the optional review session on Friday afternoon."

2

A quantity that fills or can be held in the hand.

Example

"She grabbed a handful of berries from the bowl and headed out the door."

3

A person, animal, or situation that is difficult to manage or control (informal).

Example

"Their energetic new puppy is adorable, but he can certainly be a handful during training sessions."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for handful
Antonyms
View all antonyms for handful

• Nearby Words

handed
handedness
handfeed
handful
handglass
handgrip
handgun

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English 'handfull', formed from 'hand' (hand) and 'full' (full), meaning the quantity that fills a hand.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Handful. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/handful
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